Presentation recording: Recent trends in baby removal patterns in Aotearoa New Zealand

In May the Centre for Child and Family Justice Research welcomed Associate Professor Emily Keddell and Kerri Cleaver to present their work as part of the CFJ Seminar series 2021.  The interesting and engaging presentation is available to see by clicking here.

Emily Keddell is an Associate Professor in Social and Community Work at the University of Otago, Aotearoa New Zealand. Her research focusses on the child protection system, specifically inequalities in system contact, decision-making variability, knowledge interpretation in practice, the use of algorithmic decision tools, and policy analysis. Her work highlights issues of equity and power within the child protection system. She is a founding member of the Reimagining Social Work blog, an associate Editor of Qualitative Social Work, and a member of the editorial collective of the journal Aotearoa New Zealand Social Work. She is currently engaged in a project examining what helps prevent babies being removed from their families of origin.

Kerri Cleaver is Kāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe and Waitaha (from the tribes of the south island of Aotearoa). She is currently a Principal Advisor Māori at the Office of the Children’s Commissioner, Aotearoa New Zealand. She has also lead the development of the Ngāi Tahu mandated whānau care service, Tiaki Taoka. Kerri is a keen researcher, currently completing her PhD. Her research interests are in the re-visioning of state services, particular to Māori. Looking at the creating of spaces for Māori to self determine what approaches to whānau and mokopuna (families including extended and children and young people) wellbeing looks like in the face of macro to micro needs such as poverty, racism and mental health.