Stanley-Clarke, NickyClark, Braden James Foster2024-11-262024-11-262024https://mro.massey.ac.nz/handle/10179/72080This 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.© The Authorneurodevelopmental lenschild protectionsocial worktraumaadversityChild welfare workersNew ZealandAttitudesChild welfarePediatric neuropsychology440901 Clinical social work practice