Author known as Mick Brown; Report known as Brown Review or Brown Report. Appendices and Submissions catalogued separately.

This report clarifies the complex nature, and often conflicting options, of workers in the care and protection field. The author reminds the reader that child abuse and neglect is unacceptable, yet the eradication of this cannot fall on a sole government department, such as Child, Youth and Family Services (CYFS). The problem areas within care and protection, and child and adolescent mental health must be addressed by individuals, communities and the New Zealand nation as a whole. Judge Brown identifies three broad areas to this review process. Firstly, the report discusses notification, referral, and care and protection procedures with regard to family violence and social work tasks. Secondly, placement procedures for children outside immediate families are critiqued, and thirdly, a number of improvements in relation to these areas are suggested. Political, legislative and policy areas are incorporated in this review, and further issues explored include the quality of social work in CYFS, children's rights and protections, adoptions and guardianship, Maori services, and interagency work. The primary recommendation made in this report is that the Children, Young Persons and their Families Act (1989) be reviewed to improve the implementation of services by CYFS. Printed copies of the report, appendices and 'a selection of submissions (3 vols) are also held. Record #3158

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