Care and Protection meets Family Violence: Building best practice at the interface

Author and Speaker

Liz Kinley and Tau Huirama

Organisation

Child Abuse Prevention Services (CAPS) NZ Inc., Wellington

The last decade has seen increasing recognition of the harm to children who live in families where there is domestic violence between adults, and evidence of its high co-occurrence with child abuse and other forms of maltreatment. Traditionally, and still largely in Aotearoa / New Zealand, services for domestic (adult-to-adult) violence are separate from those for child abuse and neglect, though formal systems and structures for joint work have been established in many places overseas (Edleson & Beeman, 2000; Tomison, 2002). A best practice framework developed by CAPS NZ (an affiliation of agencies connected by their commitment to the safety of children) suggests a way through the different philosophical and organisational values and practice approaches in the two sectors to achieve safe, healthy and violence-free outcomes for children, young people and their families. The framework (which also incorporates indigenous concepts and approaches) will be presented, followed by a workshop using an appreciative inquiry approach for participants to explore and draw on their practice experience. The paper and workshop will take 1 to 1 ½ hours.

Presentation

Paper

Biography

Liz Kinley has over twenty five years experience working in child protection and family violence prevention within both statutory and community agencies. Her past roles include social work practitioner and counsellor, supervisor, policy advisor, project manager, trainer/facilitator, professional leader and service manager. She has worked with organisations and practitioners over many years designing practice tools and frameworks which support safe, professional, high quality service delivery for children and their parents, caregivers and families.

Tau Huirama's waka is Tainui and he is of Waikato and Maniopoto descent. He has worked in child protection and family violence prevention for the past fifteen years in the community and justice sectors. His past roles include counselling and group work for sexually abused children, group facilitation for men who have been violent towards their partners and children, and for the past 6 years before becoming the National Kaiwhakahaere [National Manager] for CAPS NZ, Tau was the Kaiwhakahaere of The National Network of Stopping Violence Services.

Working together, Liz and Tau combine their experience, knowledge and skills to promote best practice in ways which make the greatest possible difference for our families and communities.