Understanding the experiences and supporting the challenges of Aboriginal-identified statutory child protection caseworkers in New South Wales

Abstract

There is an understanding nationwide that there is a need to improve outcomes and experiences of both Aboriginal children, families and practitioners connected to the Statutory Child protection system.

This study relies on the lived experiences and insights shared by the participants to understand and answer the primary research question: “What are the experiences and support needs of Aboriginal statutory child protection caseworkers in the Department of Communities and Justice New South Wales?”

The research design was underpinned by Critical Race Theory and decolonisation frameworks. The study viewed the participants as the experts of their own experience, from the lens of decolonisation of welfare practices, in turn providing a framework for shared learning and growth of knowledge.

Data was collected through the application of a survey tool and semi-structured interviews between the participants and the researcher, considering the advice of Aboriginal consultants regarding yarning concepts. The purposive sample of participants consisted of 33 people who self-identified as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and were currently employed as statutory Child protection caseworkers within NSW. There were 28 participants who completed a survey on the main key thematic areas, and an additional 5 participants who engaged in an interview in place of the survey.

The collation of this information obtained via both the survey results and individual interviews were then transcribed and analysed in terms of emerging themes.The research findings also informed the development of a supervision prompt guide which can be utilised by supervisors of Aboriginal child protection caseworkers.

The research generates new knowledge and reveals examples of both positive support experiences, in addition to findings and examples of Aboriginal practitioner experiences of racism, the lack of culturally safe practices, and marginalisation of Aboriginal child protection caseworkers.