Review of child protection policies research

The aim of this literature scan is to understand what enables child protection policies and what are the barriers. We also look at what skills, guidance, and resources are needed to make sure these policies work well in practice.

The researchers focused mainly on literature from Aotearoa, supported by international literature for context and comparison. They focused on how policies are put into practice by frontline kaimahi.

The review supports work on recommendation 12 of Dame Poutasi’s Review. Recommendation 12 says that legislation of relevant agencies should state clearly that they’re responsible for checking the safety of children.

Child protection policies (CPPs) are often treated as a compliance requirement, rather than used to guide best practice for the wellbeing of children.

CPPs work best in practice when services are connected and collaborate with each other. Accessible and practical guidance helps frontline staff to feel confident and respond in a consistent way.

Heavy workloads and limited time for training reduce how well child protection policies are used. Frontline staff know what to do, but need support from colleagues and managers to respond consistently.

To make policies effective, local and national expectations need to be aligned. Investing in workforce capability and embedding child-centred practice in day-to-day work are also critical.

To be effective, child protection policies should include:

• clear roles and responsibilities
• ongoing and structured professional development
• a workplace culture that supports collaboration
• simple tools and guidance that make it practical to follow child protection policies.