Experiences of Being Reported to Child Protection in Aotearoa New Zealand: Perspectives of Whānau/Family Members

Families/whānau have a complex role within the child protection system as both a service user and the subject of investigation, yet their experiences are rarely explored. The experience of being reported to child protection may exacerbate difficult life circumstances and result in mixed outcomes for whānau, though there has been little research on this experience in Aotearoa New Zealand. In Aotearoa New Zealand, a whānau's involvement with child protection starts with reports of concern, leading to significant consequences. This mixed methods study included an online survey of 72 whānau, or children (18+ years), reported to the state child protection agency, Oranga Tamariki (or its predecessor), and in‐depth qualitative interviews with nine whānau participants about their experiences of being reported. Descriptive analyses of quantitative survey responses were completed, and all other qualitative data were analysed thematically. Key themes were: the social complexity and diversity of reports; the sense of injustice experienced by many whānau who were reported, including false reports, illogical decisions, unjustified child removals and powerlessness; perceived systemic inadequacies and mixed outcomes for children and whānau. Participants were critical of their experiences of being reported, often involving trauma connected to perceived injustices, and indicated areas for system improvements. Implications for data were that reports of concern may be an unreliable indicator of child abuse.