Child-Centred Practice in a Bi- and Multi-Cultural Context: Challenges and Dilemmas

ABSTRACT

The social service sector in New Zealand is undergoing significant change with the Minister responsible for introducing a new Ministry for Vulnerable Children (now Ministry for Children) signalling a commitment to practice being child-centred and trauma-informed in the new era. There is no shared understanding of these terms or what they will mean for practice. This paper focuses on child-centred practice, beginning with a brief overview of events since 1989 when the Children Young Persons and their Families Act (now renamed the Oranga Tamariki Act) was introduced. Two dominant discourses shaping approaches to care and protection are outlined before posing child-centred practice as a third option addressing the shortcomings of these positions. Three components of child centred practice are discussed: an understanding of power dynamics; a child’s rights perspective and cultural competence. The paper concludes with an overview of what will be needed to embed culturally appropriate child-centred practice and consideration of implications in a global context.

KEYWORDS:

• Child-centred
• care and protection
• cultural perspectives
• sociology of childhood
• child rights

Notes on contributor

Nicola Atwool is an Associate Professor in the social work programme at the University of Otago. Correspondence to the Department of Sociology, Gender and Social Work, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes

1 Prior to colonisation the indigenous population (tangata whenua) was tribal and identity was based on geneology (whakapapa) tracing back to specific ancestors, migration canoes and geographic areas. The European nuclear family did not exist and whānau was more akin to extended family with grandparents having particularly important roles.

2 Family Group Conferences have to be held before cases can proceed to the Family Court. They are designed to empower families to have a key role in decision-making. The aim is to arrive at a consensus decision about whether children are in need of protection and develop plans based on agreement.

3 The term Pasifika refers to people from the Pacific Island nations resident in New Zealand.

4 Since the change of government in November 2017 the word Vulnerable has been dropped and Oranga Tamariki has become the preferred name.

5 Iwi services are those provided by particular tribal groups while Kaupapa Māori services are informed by Māori concepts and values but are not tribally based.

6 Pasifika is a collective term for migrants from Pacific Island nations.