Putting humanity over bureaucracy in child protection
Below are shifts that will help move the child protection system from what's not working - its overreliance on surveillance, investigation and reporting - toward a better way of protecting kids through connection, trust and community. These changes reorient the system away from excessive rules and paperwork, keeping kids safer by strengthening real relationships and the wisdom of families, carers and local communities.
CHILD PROTECTION
CHILD CONNECTION
PEOPLE OVER PAPERWORK
What's not working
Rules take priority; kids raised in systems constrained by red tape
A better way
Relationships take priority; kids raised by attuned adults
REFRAME RISK
What's not working
Manages safety risks through surveillance and paperwork; overlooks the risk of relational deprivation
A better way
Protection through safe, secure relationships; balanced alongside
safety risks
MEASURE WHAT MATTERS
What's not working
Performance measured and tracked against outputs and compliance with procedures
A better way
A methodology that seeks to understand quality of relationships and what children, families and carers say is meaningful
REAL RELATIONSHIPS
What's not working
Care workers bound by fixed boundaries based on clinical concepts of
professional distance
A better way
No one-size-fits-all approach to relationship boundaries; flexible and responsive based on what makes sense in context
TRUST IN LIVED EXPERIENCE
What's not working
Starting point is the ‘system knows best’ and that families, kin and carers shouldn’t be trusted
A better way
Starting point is that family, kin, carers and attuned adults closest to the child are best placed to
guide the way
COMPASSION-LED PRACTICE
What's not working
Restricted care workers; oriented to protect the system from liability through policies and regulation
A better way
Empowered care workers: oriented to building a child’s connections, with freedom to ask ‘how can I help?’ and follow through
COMMUNITY-CENTRED
What's not working
Centralised government; often disconnected from children and families
A better way
Supported by local networks, organisations and peers that are better placed to connect children and families
FIRST NATIONS AGENCY AND WISDOM
What's not working
Colonial system of care assumes ‘power’ over First Nations families and communities
A better way
First Nations communities hold the power, resources and leadership to care for their kids; Ways of knowing are like living roots that nourish and support relational care.
EXPLORE THE SHIFTS
MYTH
Governments can protect and care for children through laws, regulations and audits. Adding more rules keeps children safe.
REALITY
Families and communities can keep kids safer through connection and real relationships. But it's messy, and often painful, because it's human.
Less red tape. More human connection.
Because kids in care need to feel safe, secure and loved.