Child Protection: Policies for Vulnerable Children in New Zealand

2015 ◽  
pp. 111-126
Author(s):  
Anne B. Smith
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Elizabeth Dieckermann

<p>This paper examines the New Zealand health professional’s role (with an emphasis on doctors) in several aspects of child sexual abuse intervention and treatment. Both current and proposed legal provisions are considered. After an explanation of their important role in this area, the current child protection framework insofar as it is relevant to health professionals is outlined. This is followed by an analysis of changes proposed in the Government’s White Paper for Vulnerable Children and Vulnerable Children Bill which will affect the landscape in which health professionals work. While there are benefits to proposed measures, some raise privacy and ethical concerns, or are inadequate to address the problem. The paper then addresses the legal requirements around the undertaking of medical examinations following a sexual abuse allegation, observing that the legislation raises questions around issues of consent, and making some suggestions for amendment. Finally, the general healthcare needs of adult survivors of abuse are considered.</p>


2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 4-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian Hyslop

The apparent understandings of knowledge for child protection social work practice which inform the New Zealand White Paper for Vulnerable Children are contrasted with the views expressed in the Munro Review of Child Protection in England. It is argued that the rational-technical view of child protection practice knowledge critiqued in the Munro Review is the driving influence in the White Paper. It is further suggested that the White Paper is underpinned by neoliberal conceptions of individuated responsibility which conflict with the socially situated and relational understandings which are native to the theory and practice of social work. Consequently, the socio-technical social work practice knowledge form recognised and promoted in the Munro Review is marginalised in the White Paper. It is also argued that the failings of the child protection system in Aotearoa New Zealand are more appropriately associated with political and managerial misapprehension of knowledge for competent practice than with the shortcomings of social work as a vehicle for effective child protection. It is suggested that it is high time for the social work voice to be rediscovered and reasserted if effective, relationally engaged, practice with high needs children and their families is to be developed and promoted in politically challenging times.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Elizabeth Dieckermann

<p>This paper examines the New Zealand health professional’s role (with an emphasis on doctors) in several aspects of child sexual abuse intervention and treatment. Both current and proposed legal provisions are considered. After an explanation of their important role in this area, the current child protection framework insofar as it is relevant to health professionals is outlined. This is followed by an analysis of changes proposed in the Government’s White Paper for Vulnerable Children and Vulnerable Children Bill which will affect the landscape in which health professionals work. While there are benefits to proposed measures, some raise privacy and ethical concerns, or are inadequate to address the problem. The paper then addresses the legal requirements around the undertaking of medical examinations following a sexual abuse allegation, observing that the legislation raises questions around issues of consent, and making some suggestions for amendment. Finally, the general healthcare needs of adult survivors of abuse are considered.</p>


2016 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanessa Deverson

Child abuse and neglect affects approximately 42 500 children in Australia each year. Parliaments in all Australian states and territories have introduced mandatory reporting into child protection legislation to protect vulnerable children by requiring certain individuals to report suspicions of abuse or neglect. However, lawyers are prevented from reporting because of the rules governing legal professional privilege and confidentiality. This article begins by examining the problem of child abuse and neglect in Australia and outlines the current legislative framework of mandatory reporting laws in Part II. Part III discusses the current rules governing lawyers and examines legal professional privilege and the duty of confidentiality. Part IV provides arguments for and against requiring lawyers to report suspected abuse and also considers the lawyer-client relationship and the special position of domestic violence victims. Part V offers recommendations for the proposed legislative reform. This article concludes that lawyers should be required to report child abuse and neglect.


2013 ◽  
Vol 44 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 539
Author(s):  
Nessa Lynch

New Zealand is unusual amongst comparable jurisdictions in lacking a statutory scheme to vet and possibly disqualify 'risky' individuals from working or volunteering with children. The current vetting process in New Zealand is ad hoc and not transparent. The Government has signalled its intention to place vetting on a statutory footing through the Vulnerable Children Bill. This article considers the appropriate parameters of a vetting scheme, considering the experiences of jurisdictions with established schemes.


2020 ◽  
Vol 56 (12) ◽  
pp. 1941-1945
Author(s):  
Patrick Kelly ◽  
Carmen Basu ◽  
Veronica T Graham ◽  
Carol Chan ◽  
Miranda Ritchie ◽  
...  

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