This research sought to improve understanding of the experiences of parents with disability of Australian child protection systems, paying particular attention to the experiences of First Nations and culturally and linguistically diverse parents with disability.

This research addressed the following questions:

1. What are the experiences of parents with disability across the spectrum of engagement with child protection systems from initial reports of child protection concerns to out-of-home care (‘OOHC’) and restoration or permanent removal?
2. How do child protection systems meet or breach parents with disability’s rights, including their rights to be supported?
3. What reforms are necessary to reduce the risk of parents with disability and their families coming into contact with child protection systems and, when in contact, prevent escalation of the severity of interventions?
4. What are some examples of promising practices that work to improve outcomes for parents with disability and their families?

The project has three components:

1. an extensive critical review of published English-language research;
2. a primarily paper-based review of Australian policy and practice, and
3. qualitative fieldwork with parents, advocates, caseworkers, service providers, Children’s Court clinicians and lawyers in NSW and Victoria.