Thesis abstract:

«p»The overarching aim of my research is to interrogate how the “problem” of culture competency with people of colour in the child protection system is produced and constituted in NSW statutory child protection system. The focus of my proposed research is to offer a new perspective on the discursive representation of people of colour within child protection, rather than focusing on finding a “fix” to the “problem” of child abuse and neglect within diverse communities, or to identify “best practice” for practitioners working with families from diverse communities, the study aims to interrogate the meaning-making at work within governmental strategies and policies. This research study engages with two main critical theories and approaches including post- structural policy analysis approach and critical whiteness theory, aimed at peeling back layers of structural silencing and the superficiality of the constructed fixed notion of race and culture embodied in the practices of cultural competency within the Statutory child protection policies. This research study is orientated towards being Thesis with Publications, including four separate academic publications in accordance with the University of Sydney Thesis and Examination of Higher Degrees by Research Policy 2015. «/p»