British Journal of Social Work, 2017, Advance online publication, 11 September 2017

"To contextualise the current reform process, this article broadly explores the development of child protection social work in New Zealand over the last thirty years. Reference is made to parallel developments in England. Critique of the role of neo-liberalism, scientific rationality and managerialism is developed. Specific attention is given to a racialised discourse in the New Zealand setting, in relation to the protection of indigenous Māori children. This discourse has merged with the concept of underclass reproduction in the current policy review process. A social investment policy approach perceives ill-treated children in terms of future liability. Accordingly, more children are likely to be brought into state care. It is argued that the social knowledge form endemic to social work runs counter to this science-centric and punitive neo-liberal approach to child protection. Implications of this analysis for the future development of social work practice in child protection are considered. It is suggested that social work is responding to the ethical challenge which arises. Pivotal roles for professional associations, advocacy groups and academics are identified in terms of championing the significance of the social work knowledge form in this conflicted field: developing alternative political and practice visions." (Author's abstract). Record #5607