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Inequalities and Child Protection System Contact in Aotearoa New Zealand: Developing a Conceptual Framework and Research Agenda

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  • Emily Keddell

    (Department of Sociology, Gender and Social Work, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, Aotearoa, New Zealand)

  • Gabrielle Davie

    (Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, Aotearoa, New Zealand)

Abstract

There is a growing movement to integrate conceptual tools from the health inequalities field into research that examines the relationship between inequalities and chances of child protection system contact. This article outlines the key concepts of an inequalities perspective, and discusses how these apply to inequalities in child protection in the Aotearoa New Zealand context. Drawing on existing research, this article shows that while there is evidence of links between deprivation, ethnicity, location and system contact, a more systematic research agenda shaped by an inequalities perspective would contribute to understanding more fully the social determinants of contact with the child protection system. An inequalities perspective provides balance to the current ‘social investment’ policy approach that targets individuals and families for service provision, with little attention to how structural inequalities impact on system contact. Directions for research are discussed, with some specific questions suggested. These include questions relating to the relationships between social inequalities and various decision points in the child protection system; if a social gradient exists and how steep it is; the inter-relationship between ethnicity, deprivation and patterns of system contact; and how similarly deprived children in different locations compare with each other in relation to child protection system contact, that is, is there an ‘inverse intervention law’ operating?

Suggested Citation

  • Emily Keddell & Gabrielle Davie, 2018. "Inequalities and Child Protection System Contact in Aotearoa New Zealand: Developing a Conceptual Framework and Research Agenda," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 7(6), pages 1-14, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jscscx:v:7:y:2018:i:6:p:89-:d:150180
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Keddell, Emily, 2023. "Recognising the embedded child in child protection: Children’s participation, inequalities and cultural capital," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 147(C).
    2. Webb, Calum & Bywaters, Paul & Scourfield, Jonathan & Davidson, Gavin & Bunting, Lisa, 2020. "Cuts both ways: Ethnicity, poverty, and the social gradient in child welfare interventions," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 117(C).
    3. Rapsey, C.M. & Rolston, Cassandra J., 2020. "Fostering the family, not just the child: Exploring the value of a residential family preservation programme from the perspectives of service users and staff," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 108(C).
    4. Keddell, Emily & Davie, Gabrielle & Barson, Dave, 2019. "Child protection inequalities in Aotearoa New Zealand: Social gradient and the ‘inverse intervention law’," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 104(C), pages 1-1.

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