A Necessary Engagement: An international review of parent and family engagement in child protection

How child protection services engage with parents ultimately affects the outcomes for children in the system, including safety, permanency and wellbeing. This overview documents international and Australian examples of good practice in engagement, support and advocacy for parents who have contact with child protection systems. While practices that emphasise self-determination and strengths are fundamental to eliciting change in parents when care standards have faltered, there is acknowledgement of the challenges in meaningfully engaging parents and families.