Lay summary
The proposed grant is to enable the co-design of a research programme investigating "what works" in the treatment of child abuse and neglect among families involved with child protection services. Participants will be clients of intensive intervention services where serious child harm has been identified. The proposed methodological approach is mixed-methods case studies, with both in-depth interviews and quantitative measures of behaviour change, psychological functioning and family harm events. Consultation has begun with Oranga Tamariki and one existing NGO service provider with initial agreement from both to collaborate, but because of the high-risk and complex nature of the participants and presenting problems, ongoing engagement with key stakeholders is essential. This project addresses child wellbeing within the most severely deprived and vulnerable populations, adding to a very limited research base to support effective intervention that reduces child maltreatment. It is of particular relevance and importance to whānau Māori.