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    A neurodevelopmental lens in child protection social work : understanding and addressing the impacts of adversity : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Social Work at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2024) Clark, Braden James Foster
    This research explores how child protection social workers understand and address the impacts of childhood adversity through the application of a neurodevelopmental lens. To achieve this, a practice research methodology was utilised. Qualitative, semi-structured interviews were completed with three key informants (with expertise in the neurodevelopmental lens and/or te ao Māori) and 11 child protection social workers. The research drew on an ecological-transactional perspective. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. The findings from the study extend the existing principles of the neurodevelopmental lens and suggest some new principles as being important to child protection social workers. The research findings provide a framework for child protection social workers to understand and address the impacts of childhood adversity. The principles informed the selection of interventions to address the impacts of adversity. This study highlighted the importance of social workers working across ecological systems to address the impacts of structural forms of adversity on children and families. The research proposes a model for child protection social work and recommends further research into the neurodevelopmental lens.
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    What are the perceptions of nurses working in child health regarding their role in child protection? : a mixed method study : Master of Philosophy in Nursing at Massey University, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2019) Shallard, Grace Ann
    The global and national figures of child abuse and neglect are overwhelming and highlight an imminent need to focus on the well-being of tamariki1. Due to the long-lasting individual and societal impact of child abuse and neglect, it is a profoundly important health issue. Nurses are not only the largest group of health professionals, but they are typically at the forefront of health care and have a unique and significant ability not only to detect, but also to intervene in and prevent situations of child abuse and neglect. Despite their potential impact, they have rarely been the focus of investigation in this area, particularly in New Zealand. This thesis presents research undertaken to explore the current perceptions of nurses working in child health in regards to their role in child protection. A mixed method study was conducted using a sequential explanatory (two-phase) design. These distinct stages comprised of a survey and subsequent, complementary interviews. The quantitative aspect of the design was conducted through a survey; there were 134 surveys included in the analysis and these data were used to inform the second phase which comprised of six complementary interviews. This qualitative aspect of the design drew on grounded theory approaches. The main findings of this research can be divided into the following categories. Eyes and ears: nurses are regularly exposed to children who have experienced child abuse or neglect and are well positioned to detect abuse and neglect. Hands: Nurses engage in this sphere in a number of ways-including medically caring for children who have been abused or neglected, coordinating care, making referrals, and practically supporting in a wide variety of ways. Head: Despite most nurses having received training in this area, only half of nurses describe feeling confident to identify child maltreatment. Furthermore, although there are discrepancies in area, there is little standardisation of how nurses engage with this sphere. There are a number of both supports and barriers; the main barriers being lack of certainty and limited confidence in social services. Heart: Nurses experience deep and profound emotions when engaging in this sphere, which not only effects nurses personally, but also affects decision making and quality of care. Gut: Nurses rely on gut feelings to make decisions, an important and advanced way of knowing. Finally, it was clear, that nurses deeply care for the children they work with and the wellbeing of children is at the centre of all they do.
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    Social workers' perspectives : how can children and young people who have had contact with both Care and Protection and Mental Health Services be supported to experience positive outcomes? : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Social Work at Massey University, Manawatu, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2018) Mounter, Jessica
    This thesis explored social workers’ perspectives on how children and young people who have had contact with both care and protection and mental health services can be supported to experience positive outcomes. Through thematically analysing semi-structured interviews conducted with social workers, it examined the barriers to positive outcomes and the ways in which social workers are able to utilise practice approaches which can make a positive difference in the lives of children and young people. A particular focus was given to the ways that neoliberal beliefs shaped the policy environment that governed social work practice under the Fifth National-led Coalition Government between 2008 and 2017. The thesis found that, even in this environment, social workers were able to choose to practice according to social work approaches that make a difference; particularly strength-based practice, child centred practice, focusing on family, and collaboration. The findings of this thesis imply that social workers can make a difference regardless of the policies that govern them. However, barriers and gaps in services cannot be overcome by social work practice alone and need attention from policy makers. In particular, effective intervention for complex trauma that takes into account the long developmental course that trauma related difficulties take and involves both clinical and family-based interventions needs to be prioritised by policy makers.
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    The gulf between rhetoric & reality : an examination of the gap between development theory and development practice in the care of Cambodian orphans : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy in Development Studies at Massey University, Palmerston North Campus
    (Massey University, 2005) Greenfield, Craig
    Like many other Developing World countries. Cambodia is in the midst of an orphan crisis. At least 77,000 children have lost their parents to AIDS and many thousands more have been orphaned by civil war. landmines and other tragedies. These orphans face an uncertain future. Traditionally in Cambodia, most of these children have been cared for within the community in which they lived with their parents. Current development theory strongly promotes such community-based care for orphans and argues that Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) should use their resources to support and strengthen communities in that task instead of placing children in institutions such as orphanages. However, for every community-based orphan care program set up by NGOs in Cambodia, six orphanages are established. The development rhetoric on care for orphans is not matched by the development practice reality in Cambodia. There is a gap between theory and practice in the care of Cambodian orphans, a disconnection between what development theorists promote and what development practitioners implement. This research project examines the gap between development theory and practice in the care of Cambodian orphans. Results of the study will enhance understanding of the possible reasons for this disparity and suggest ways to close the gap and bring greater congruence between development theory and practice in this field. The study initially looked at the literature on care for orphans and established general principles as advanced by the development texts. Secondly, the study provided an overview of current practice in Cambodia in the care of orphans. Finally, an examination was made of the gap between theory and practice in Cambodia: in order to understand this gap, primary research has been conducted with development practitioners to establish possible reasons for it.
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    Determined to make a difference : a study of public health nursing practice with vulnerable families : a thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Nursing at Massey University
    (Massey University, 2006) Garlick, Alison
    Public health nurses have traditionally worked with vulnerable families in ways that are relational, client driven and contextual, an approach that has been described as a health promoting model of care. There is evidence however, that political and ideological reforms occurring within the health arena over the last fifteen years have had a constraining effect upon this area of public health nursing practice. The aim of this study was to explore the perceptions of public health nurses working with vulnerable families within a New Zealand context. This was in order to provide a contemporary description of how public health nurses work with vulnerable families and factors that enhance or constrain this process. The researcher was interested in whether this aspect of public health nursing practice continues to align with a health promoting model of care. The research process utilised a qualitative approach. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken and a general inductive approach was utilised for analysis of the data. The participants consisted of ten public health nurses from a district health board within New Zealand. The findings identified that New Zealand public health nurses continue to align their practice with a health promoting model of care when working with vulnerable families, particularly if nurses are experienced, embedded within a community and determined to make a difference. It was evident however, that this process is significantly constrained by factors relating to the nature of the families themselves, the business model framing the delivery of public health nursing services and the challenges involved in dealing with the Child Youth and Family Service. This study also highlighted the vulnerability of the public health nurse which may occur as a result of working with vulnerable families and dealing with the constraints referred to above. These outcomes have implications for configuring effective services for vulnerable families and the place of public health nursing within the future primary healthcare nursing environment.
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    Child well-being in middle childhood : a mixed methods cross-national comparison : a thesis submitted for the partial fulfilment of the requirements for a Masters of Educational Psychology, Massey University, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2014) Miliffe, Anastasia
    This mixed methods case study explores child well-being in middle childhood with the overarching goal of completing a strength-based, cross-national comparison. In order to develop an understanding of what child well-being means to local children aged between 9 to 11 years old, semi-structured interviews were held using an adjusted version of the interview guide developed by Fattore, Mason and Watson (2009). The main dynamic child well-being dimensions included relationships, emotional health and interests, with independent contributions from the themes of accomplishment, special events, safety, values and the environment. These findings respond to international requests for age-specific child well-being research (Dex & Hollingworth, 2012) and uniquely contribute to the national literature. The limited cross-national research that includes New Zealand details our poor child wellbeing outcomes (Heshmati, Bajalan & Tausch, 2007). Using the Developmental Assets questionnaire, the current study identifies local children's well-being to be in the good range, although at the low end. This is comparable to the well-being levels reported in the American pilot sample (Scales, Fraher & Andress, 2011). With one third of participants in both samples reporting fair but vulnerable levels of well-being, similar room for improvement is purported. The integration of the assets data and thematic data presents a rich and pragmatic picture of local child well-being in middle childhood. With the Education Review Office (ERO, 2013) requiring all schools to develop well-being initiatives by 2015, the current case study identifies the children's agenda and supports the design of 'complete' policies (Ben- Arieh, 2010).
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    More than a death : dangerous dynamics and their impact on social work practice at the Children, Young Persons and their Families Agency : a thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Social Work at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1999) Attrill, Paula Maree
    Child deaths are a tragic and sadly, all to familiar occurrence for child protection services both in New Zealand and abroad. It is the authors view that, to date, the response provided in the wake of such tragedies has been to review cases with a view to ascertaining the degree of fault or blameworthiness apparent in the manner in which the child protection service managing the case, acted. Having determined this, action is then taken to alter systems and procedures with a view to preventing future deaths. While the result of this is at times successful in rectifying elements of process or systems failure, this kind of response does not take into account the impact that a range of dangerous dynamics may have had leading up to and at the time the child died. This research takes a fresh look at five cases known to the Children Young Persons and their Families Agency where children on the caseloads of Social Workers died from non-accidental injury. A range of dangerous dynamics are identified and defined. These are then applied to each of the sample cases with a view to determining whether or not they were apparent leading up to and at the time the children died. Conclusions are drawn on the basis of the findings and recommendations are made with respect to future management of cases where dangerous dynamics exist in the relationships Social Workers have with families with which they are working. The purpose of this research is twofold. The author's primary intention is to contribute significantly to the body of knowledge that exists with respect to understanding child deaths and the role Social Workers have in relation to such tragedies. In addition, it is intended that the findings of this research will contribute to the prevention of future deaths of children on the caseloads of child protection workers.