A Political History of Child Protection

“Ian’s work is accessible and challenging, equipping social workers and leaders to speak up and speak back to structural determinants that can oft feel too hard to tackle. Through a deepening understanding of how we got here we can collectively offer new ways to organise our systems of help.” Tony Stanley, Aotearoa New Zealand Social Work

“This is an engrossing read, passionately written with a good dose of hope, yet incisive about the frustrated attempts to enact radical reform in Aotearoa. It will be of value to students, academics and policy makers seeking an in-depth understanding of the topic in Aotearoa, and those interested in systemic child protection reform internationally.” Critical Social Policy

“This book, whilst focused on Aotearoa, has much to teach social workers in colonising and colonised countries about what needs to be done. As well, it is a very clear, articulate detailing about how social work has been the agent of colonisation.” British Journal of Social Work

“Ian’s work is accessible and challenging, equipping social workers and leaders to speak up and speak back to structural determinants that can oft feel too hard to tackle. Through a deepening understanding of how we got here we can collectively offer new ways to organise our systems of help.” Tony Stanley, Aotearoa New Zealand Social Work

"Although focused on Aotearoa New Zealand, Ian Hyslop’s scholarly and passionate new book has significant global resonances for those of us concerned about the neoliberal steered evolution of 'child protection'." Paul Michael Garrett, NUI Galway

"A captivating analysis of the historical development of Aotearoa New Zealand child protection policy. It challenges the reader to think critically about statutory child protection and future possibilities." Nicky Stanley-Clarke, Massey University

“A fascinating analysis of the development of child protection in Aotearoa New Zealand and an important contribution to the growing critical appraisal of child protection policies and practices across the Western world. Clear, insightful and convincing.” Nigel Parton, University of Huddersfield

Ian Kelvin Hyslop is Senior Lecturer in Counselling, Human Services and Social Work at the University of Auckland. He worked in statutory child protection for 20 years of his working life and is passionate about aligning social work practice with the pursuit of social justice.

Power structures and problem definition;

Origins of child protection in Aotearoa;

Post-war child welfare;

The 1980s: a storm builds and breaks;

Revolution from above: the neoliberal turn;

Cycles of crisis and review;

Building a new paradigm