Child Protection Research Articles

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The aim of this contribution is to examine the applicability and effectiveness of the norms of IHL and human rights relating to children in armed conflict situation. The question must be asked and answered in the context where the nature of armed conflicts has undergone profound changes since the 83 major international treaties, such as the 1949 Geneva Conventions and 1977 Geneva Protocols, were drafted. New armed conflicts; international as well as non-international are conducted in ways that have a profound, devastating impact on children, both as civilians and combatants. Question is, how does the international law effectively apply to armed conflicts that do not conform to earlier IHL models and their very aim has been the genocidal annihilation of ethnic group including its children, as in Rwanda and Yugoslavia. As clearly political trendy issue of the world community, new legal instruments have been created; UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), including its art. 38, a provision that traditionally belongs to the IHL, the Child Soldiers Protocol on the involvement of children in armed conflicts. The issue was also introduced in the 1998 Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and the 1999 ILO Convention No. 182 on the worst forms of child work dealing with child soldiers. On the regional level, the only binding instrument was adopted, containing provisions on child recruitment and use in armed conflicts – African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (1990). Moreover, UN resolutions and recommendations discuss the issue, reports and extensively outlined disastrous effects of armed conflicts on children. New political and legal activities express broadly accepted conviction that children caught up in armed conflict constitute a group particularly vulnerable to human rights violations. In this way can be explained the inclusion of art. 38 in CRC. Being an IHL provision in human rights treaty, art. 38 contributes to fill a gap in the protection of the rights of children in armed conflicts. Hybrid character of art. 38 makes it possible to expand certain IHL features and new trends to human rights law. In the same way, being part of human rights treaty, art. 38 of CRC can also contribute to the actual interpretation of IHL. As to the significance of art. 38, the contribution of the Committee on Rights of the Child is the most important. Its concluding observations can actually change States Parties policies, legislation and practice. It is hoped that CRC Committee continues to be important actor in the era of application in which international community redirects its energy from the juridical task of the developing standards of protection of children in armed conflicts to the political projects of ensuring their application and respect on the ground.

Mapping the relationships among bullying, cyberbullying, child maltreatment, and parental intimate partner violence: A network analysis.

This study investigates the connections among various forms of violence experienced by adolescents, both online and offline, including bullying, cyberbullying, child maltreatment, and witnessing parental intimate partner violence (IPV). The aim was to elucidate the patterns of these adversities to enhance understanding from a child-centered perspective. We conducted an online survey with a sample of 934 parents (Mage = 41.05 years, SD = 4.76; Mchild's age = 14.37 years, SD = 1.84) recruited across 30 provinces and districts in China in August 2023. Network analysis was used to examine the associations among four types of bullying (physical, verbal, relational, and cyberbullying), three types of child maltreatment (physical, psychological, and neglect), and two types of parental IPV (psychological and physical). Our findings revealed that cyberbullying victimization had the highest expected influence in the network, suggesting that it plays a central role in exacerbating other adversities. The four types of bullying were strongly interconnected, both online and offline. Parental psychological IPV and child psychological abuse experiences had the highest bridge expected influence in the network, indicating their role in linking various forms of victimization. The findings demonstrate that IPV can facilitate the transmission of adversities across different domains of a child's environment. Understanding the intercorrelations of child victimization within and beyond the home can contribute to the development of a comprehensive child protection approach. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).

Implementation of Diversion in the Juvenile Criminal Justice System in Indonesia: Analysis of Obstacles and Juvenile Punishment Based on Law Number 11 of 2012

This study aims to examine the concept of punishment for children as perpetrators of crimes in Indonesia. This study uses normative legal research with a statutory and conceptual approach. The legal materials are sourced from primary and secondary legal materials. The legal material collection technique is through literature studies and interviews. The legal materials are analyzed using qualitative methods. The results of this study indicate that The juvenile criminal justice system or Diversion has been implemented in various countries with different characteristics. International Law has recognized that children must be treated differently from adults. In Indonesia, the juvenile criminal justice system applies, which refers to Law Number 11 of 2012. However, the large number of cases of children sentenced to prison shows that Diversion has not been implemented optimally in Indonesia. The causes range from the inadequate capabilities of law enforcement officers, victims and/or victims' families who refuse to make peace, and diversion requirements that limit diversion efforts. Therefore, improvements are needed in the implementation of Diversion to ensure better protection for children as perpetrators of criminal acts in Indonesia.

"Is this 'minor time' now? My time?" - Voice versus knowledge in child neglect proceedings, lessons from the guardian ad litem role in Israeli juvenile courtrooms.

Child Protection Legal Systems around the world work to toe the line between protecting children from possible harms and avoiding inflicting further harm by mistreating or misrecognizing the problems the children in question are facing. Despite growing efforts to enhance children's participation in child protection proceedings, there is still a lot of criticism from families and children directed at the state and the legal system. This inquiry attempts to locate at least one of the reasons for such criticism - the feeling of being excluded from the decision-making process. 6 juvenile courts were visited by the researcher, sitting in 30 court hearings and at the courts' area before and after hearings. Observations were transcribed by researcher and analyzed using atlas.ti, extracting themes and recurring ideas. The article analyses the matrix of different child-participation modes - which permit children's voices to be heard in the courtroom to varying degrees - and specifically different roles currently played by the guardians ad litem. The article frames the findings within the theory of epistemic injustice, identifying the places where the children's place as knowers and knowledge-producers is being denied. Despite - or in fact, because - the emphasis on participation and voice, there is still a long way to go before children are provided real epistemic power in the courtroom. Based on the inquiry findings, a policy recommendation is made: to incorporate the epistemic perspective from the poverty-informed paradigm, into the specialized training guardians go through, allowing for an epistemic rearrangement of the children's voices as knowledge-producers.

Care experience and deportation: exploring interactions between child protection, criminal justice and migration control

ABSTRACT This paper explores the interactions between three government systems of ‘care and control’ – child protection, criminal justice and border protection. Strikingly, these systems target racialised populations for interventions that are experienced as (mostly) punitive. Through qualitative case studies drawn from a sample of mandatory visa cancellation cases in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, I explore how non-citizens with experience of Out-of-Home Care (OOHC) withstand the convergence of criminal and immigration law, known as ‘crimmigration’. I argue that care experience contours crimmigration for those entangled within these systems in three significant ways. First, the ‘flow on’ effects of the criminalisation of those with care experience has unique consequences for non-citizens, bringing them into the purview of s501 of the Migration Act 1958 (Cth), and the possibility of discretionary or mandatory visa cancellation. Second, non-citizens in child protection who face insecure visa status are prevented from accessing certain health supports ordinarily available to citizens, which enhances their vulnerability. Third, government failures to act as a ‘parent’ to secure the visa status of non-citizens in child protection denies them protection from deportation. This article shows how non-citizens with care experience face heightened exposure to crimmigration and deportation.

Forgotten Children: The Crisis of Child Welfare and Alternative Care in Afghanistan

This article explores the complex landscape of alternative care for orphaned and vulnerable children in Afghanistan against the backdrop of prolonged conflict, political turmoil and socio-economic challenges. With an estimated 2 million orphans and countless more children living in challenging circumstances, the country faces a daunting task in ensuring the well-being and protection of its most vulnerable population. This analysis explores the various forms of alternative care available in Afghanistan, including traditional family care, orphanages, foster care and community-based initiatives. It highlights the historical evolution of child protection policies and programmes, tracing the impact of significant events such as the Taliban regime’s rule, periods of conflict and the subsequent transition periods, including the Taliban’s resurgence in 2021. The compounded challenges faced by children and families are examined, including disruptions in funding, aid delivery and access to essential services. Key stakeholders involved in alternative care, including government authorities, non-governmental organisations, religious leaders and extended families, are identified, emphasising the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing these challenges. The article concludes with a set of recommendations aimed at enhancing child protection policies, strengthening family support systems, and fostering stable environments where children’s rights and well-being are prioritised. Ultimately, the article underscores the urgency of concerted action to ensure Afghanistan’s orphaned and vulnerable children are not forgotten amidst the context of ongoing turmoil and uncertainty in the nation’s governance.

Legal Protection for Children as Victims and Perpetrators of Criminal Acts in the Context of Human Rights

This research highlights critical contributions to understanding the protection of children's rights as both perpetrators and victims of criminal offenses in Indonesia, despite the presence of supportive regulations such as Law No. 35 of 2014 and Law No. 11 of 2012. It specifically identifies the barriers impeding the effective protection of children's rights within the framework of human rights. Using a normative juridical methodology and secondary data analysis from legislation and relevant literature, the study reveals three main challenges: insufficient understanding among law enforcement officials, persistent social stigma, and inadequate access to rehabilitation services. These findings emphasize the necessity of a synergistic approach involving the government, law enforcement agencies, and the community to foster greater awareness of children's rights and to ensure the practical application of human rights principles. Such efforts are vital to provide children with adequate protection and opportunities for optimal growth and development.

Beyond “Dead Words”: Enhancing Documentation Practices for Domestic Violence-Informed Work

Abstract Purpose Domestic violence-informed documentation practices across health and human services were explored as an aspect of a wider action research project in New South Wales, Australia. In health and human service responses to families living at the intersection of domestic violence, substance misuse and mental ill-health, practitioners navigate the complexities of collaborative and integrated work to address violence and abuse. Documentation is an aspect of practice where ethical, quality and safety issues arise, impacting individuals, organizations, and service sectors. Methods Senior practitioners from specialist domestic violence, substance use, mental health and child protection services participated in a series of Communities of Practice to explore integrated and collaborative practice using the Safe & Together™ Model approach to working with families impacted by domestic violence and abuse. Documentary practices were explored as an important aspect of the wider research project, and ethnographic notes from Community of Practice and reflective focus groups were thematically analyzed. Results Four key themes regarding domestic violence-informed documentation practices were highlighted in the analysis: recognizing the power of documentation; maintaining an all-of-family focus; focussing on patterns and context; and the importance of language that emphasizes behavioral specificity. Taken together, these themes speak to the powerful role played by domestic violence-informed documentation for clients accessing services, as well as to the opportunity for practice-changing work through documentation that diverse practitioners can take up when working with families and with each other. Conclusion This paper contributes to a growing body of practice-led knowledge building and provides an in-depth examination of domestic violence-informed documentation practices from the perspectives of practitioners working at the intersections of domestic violence, substance use, mental health and child protection issues across health and human services. It highlights the complex and empowering opportunities that attention to language and documentation holds and emphasizes the need for further research exploration and capacity building for domestic violence-informed practice.

Applicability of Cybercrime Conventions to International Cooperation in the Fight against Child Abuses on the Internet during Armed Conflicts

Information and telecommunication technologies are intensively used to aggravate the humanitarian condition of children being disproportionately affected by military conflicts. Although international humanitarian law contains a significant number of norms providing special protection of children, most issues related to child abuses on the Internet are enshrined in specific treaties that may be not applicable during international military conflicts. The present article addresses the norms of the law of treaties related to the effects of armed conflicts on treaties, including cybercrime conventions; it discusses the applicability of the existing cybercrime treaties during armed conflicts.

Balancing act: Europeans' privacy calculus and security concerns in online CSAM detection

This study examines privacy calculus in online child sexual abuse material (CSAM) detection across Europe, using Flash Eurobarometer 532 data. Drawing on theories of structuration and risk society, we analyze how individual agency and institutional frameworks interact in shaping privacy attitudes in high-stakes digital scenarios. Multinomial regression reveals age as a significant individual-level predictor, with younger individuals prioritizing privacy more. Country-level analysis shows Central and Eastern European nations have higher privacy concerns, reflecting distinct institutional and cultural contexts. Notably, the Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) shows a positive association with privacy concerns in regression models when controlling for Augmented Human Development Index (AHDI) components, contrasting its negative bivariate correlation. Life expectancy emerges as the strongest country-level predictor, negatively associated with privacy concerns, suggesting deep institutional mechanisms shape privacy attitudes beyond individual factors. This dual approach reveals that both individual factors and national contexts are shaping privacy calculus in CSAM detection. The study contributes to a better understanding of privacy calculus in high-stakes scenarios, with implications for policy development in online child protection.

Arrests among adolescents with a history of foster care placements in group home settings.

Approximately 5% of children and adolescents in foster care are placed in group home settings, with adolescents making up the largest age group in these placements. Group home placement is designed to support individuals with high acuity or specialized needs that cannot be met in a family-based setting. Prior research has highlighted the vulnerabilities of adolescents in group homes, including behavioral issues, mental health concerns, and juvenile justice system involvement. The current study investigated the relationship between placement status and arrest rates among adolescents experiencing a group home placement. Child protection system records from California were used to identify adolescents (aged 13-17) who were placed in group homes in 2014 (n=2437). These records were linked to California Department of Justice arrest records for 2014 and 2015. Descriptive differences in arrest status were examined by demographics and placement status after initial group home placements with t-tests and logistic regression. The association between placement setting and likelihood of arrest was examined with survival analysis. In our population of adolescents who experienced a group home placement, 16.7% were arrested during the study window. Adjusted hazard ratios for arrest were higher when adolescents lived in group homes (aHR=1.57, p=.029) or ran away from care (aHR=5.62, p<.001), compared to periods in which adolescents had transitioned to reunification or guardianship. During periods where adolescents were in family foster care settings, arrest rates were comparable to those who had exited to reunification or guardianship. Periods when an adolescent was in a group home setting were associated with a heightened rate of arrest compared to those reunified with their families. We also found that arrests commonly occurred and reoccurred for young people residing in group homes, underscoring the need to understand whether specific protocols and practices in these facilities contribute to increased arrests.

Challenges of Religious and Cultural Diversity in the Child Protection System with Children Migrating “Alone” in Catalonia and Melilla

Cultural and religious diversity in Spain, driven by recent decades of migratory flows, has not been exempt from generating social tensions and, unfortunately, an increasing stigmatization of migrant children. This article examines how power dynamics and exclusion impact the identity construction of these young people, particularly within the child protection system. Through interviews and focus groups with young people and professionals in Barcelona and Melilla, this study highlights the resistance strategies these young individuals employ to counteract stigmatizing narratives. The findings indicate that, despite inclusion policies, imposed labels reinforce their vulnerability and limit their social and community participation. Although interfaith dialogue is proposed as a tool to mitigate these tensions, professionals working with these children emphasize the lack of institutional support and insufficient training in socio-cultural diversity, which hinders their efforts. The study underscores the importance of developing interfaith competencies that foster mutual respect and recognition, concluding with a critique of the current protection system. It advocates for a comprehensive approach to addressing these young people’s emotional, social, and spiritual needs beyond solely legal and educational aspects.

The influence of mass media in the protection of women through the implementation of regional regulation no. 5 of 2013 on the protection of women and children in west Sumatra province

Gender equality is still one of the things that must always be pursued by the government together with all elements in each region. Gender equality can be seen from cases of gender- based violence that still exist in an area. The rate of violence against women in West Sumatra Province is still considered high. In 2022 the number of violence against women was 216 cases and in 2023 it increased to 228 cases. The Regional Government of West Sumatra Province has taken various ways to reduce the number of violence against women and realize gender equality, namely by making a Women's Protection policy, namely Regional Regulation No. 5 of 2013. Based on Regional Regulation No. 5 of 2013, the government collaborates with various stakeholders. This study looks at how collaboration between all elements in the protection of women in West Sumatra. This study uses quantitative methods to test the hypothesis about the influence of each stakeholder using Kendall's Rank formula. The Penta Helix collaboration theory according to Ramesh and Howlett will be used to see the collaboration relationship between actors in implementing women's protection policies. The results of hypothesis testing show that there is a positive relationship between actor collaboration in policy implementation. The most influential actors are the local government with an influence value of 0.741* and the mass media with an influence value of 0.530*.

Long-Term Outcomes of Intentional Head Trauma in Infants: A Comprehensive Follow-Up of Medical, Developmental, Psychological, and Legal Perspectives

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to determine the initial clinical characteristics of children diagnosed with intentional head trauma (IHT) to obtain information about the long-term developmental, psychological, and psychosocial status of these children, to detect delayed sequelae, and to find out information about their judicial processes. Materials and Methods: Fourteen children who were followed up with the diagnosis of IHT in the Ankara Child Protection Unit between 2010 and 2021 were included in the study. These cases were evaluated in terms of physical, developmental, psychological, and visual findings. A complete physical examination was performed on the patients and their anthropometric measurements were taken. Anterior and posterior segment evaluations and visual field examinations were conducted in the visual assessment. The Expanded Guide for Monitoring Child Development and Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale Third Edition was used in the developmental assessment. A psychiatric evaluation was performed using the Ankara Developmental Screening Inventory, Crowell observation, Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia Form, and Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children. Results: Of the patients diagnosed with IHT, 71.4% were male and the mean age was 8.39 ± 5.86 (1.27–22.30; IQR: 3.55–11.96) months. In the long-term follow-up, cerebral palsy was detected in three of the children, epilepsy in one, optic atrophy and deviation due to this in one, and deviation due to brain trauma in one. Motor delay was detected in 50.0% of the patients, language delay in 37.5%, cognitive delay in 37.5%, and attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder in 25%. It was observed that the people who caused the injuries of two patients were punished. Conclusions: Children diagnosed with IHT should be monitored with transdisciplinary methods in terms of physical and mental health throughout childhood, starting from the first intervention. Awareness of IHT diagnosis should be increased with training in social service approaches and judicial authorities providing services for child neglect and abuse.

Un/heard, un/informed, un/involved: Meaningful participation for young people receiving child welfare services

Abstract Children have the right to be heard in child protection proceedings. However, in social work, young people receiving protective services are often perceived as vulnerable and in need of protection, an attitude which prevents young people from participating in making important decisions that affect their lives. In this article, child participation in child welfare services (CWS) is explored through qualitative interviews with thirty-three young people aged fourteen to nineteen, receiving CWS in Nova Scotia, Canada. A thematic analysis of the findings highlighted four overarching themes—un/heard, un/informed, un/involved, and coping strategies—to describe youths’ experiences with service providers. The findings suggest that involving children in casework, including decisions regarding placement, has the potential to foster trust in care providers, improve cooperation and access to formal and informal supports, and enhance child well-being during and after receiving CWS.

The Dynamics of Criminal Law Enforcement in Indonesia: An Analysis of Recent Cases in the Last Two Years and Their Contribution to the Achievement of the SDGs

Objective: Law enforcement in Indonesia regarding criminal cases involving children as victims aims to strengthen the rule of law and improve infrastructure such as the police, prosecutors, and courts. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, ratified through Law No. 23 of 2002 concerning child protection, ensures that children are protected from all forms of violence, a fundamental right. The specific target of SDG 16 in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which focuses on ending all forms of violence against children, provides a renewed push towards realizing every child's right to live free from fear, neglect, abuse, and exploitation. This study aims to provide an overview of qualitative research on criminal cases involving children as victims in Indonesia. Theoretical Framework: This research adopts a theoretical approach that includes Law Enforcement Theory, the Concept of Restorative Justice, and the SDGs Framework. These frameworks connect legal norms, social behavior, and child protection, which interact to prevent children from being stigmatized by legal proceedings and to reduce violence, improve access to justice, and enhance the effectiveness of legal institutions. Method: This study employs a normative juridical approach, analyzing laws, doctrines, and practices concerning the implementation of Restorative Justice principles within Indonesia's juvenile criminal justice system. The data is analyzed qualitatively to provide a deeper understanding of the dynamics of criminal law enforcement and its connection to the Sustainable Development Goals. Results and Discussion: This study demonstrates that the reform of Indonesia's juvenile criminal justice system, which incorporates the principles of Restorative Justice, holds significant potential to advance the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG Goal 16 on Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. For the Restorative Justice-based reform of the juvenile criminal justice system to effectively contribute to the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals, it requires unwavering commitment from the government and all stakeholders to address the current challenges and continually strengthen the legal and institutional frameworks that support this reform. Research Implications: Law enforcement in cases involving children as both offenders and victims must adhere to child-friendly justice principles that ensure the protection of children's rights. The findings of this study can promote the enhancement of the juvenile criminal justice system, including the establishment of specialized courts for children, the provision of legal assistance services, and the application of humane treatment in accordance with the Juvenile Criminal Justice System Law. Originality/Value: This study focuses on child victims within the criminal justice system, a group often overlooked in academic and policy debates. By concentrating on this issue, the research examines how the law addresses child victims in various situations, including sexual violence, human trafficking, exploitation, and domestic abuse.

Childhood violence exposure and its contributing factors in Indonesia: a secondary data analysis of the National Survey on Children and Adolescents’ Life Experience

ObjectivesChildhood violence exposure is a public health concern that has long-term impacts on health and well-being. This study aims to identify the factors contributing to childhood violence exposure.DesignThis study conducted...

Juvenile Delinquency and the Law: Causes and Types of Crimes Committed In Temeke District, Tanzaniaa

Juvenile delinquency is a social malady that exposes youth to conflict with the law. Establishing causal factors of juvenile delinquency will help to prescribe effective measures for controlling diverted behaviour for the future protection of children. The main objective of this paper was to examine juvenile delinquency and the law: causes and types of crimes committed. Specifically, this paper aims to examine the reasons that drive juveniles to commit crimes and the types of crimes committed by juveniles in Temeke District in Tanzania. The study on which this paper is based employed a cross-sectional design whereby 50 respondents were involved and 233 records of young offenders were reviewed. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire, a checklist for Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), and key informant interviews. It was found that the major causes of juvenile delinquency were family problems, Poverty and the effects of mass media. It was further found that the leading crimes committed by juveniles were stealing, rape and possessing narcotic drugs. It is recommended that government and religious institutions can reduce juvenile criminality by working together to strengthen family structures through support programs, moral guidance, and community outreach. It is recommended that the Ministry of Information should reinforce the former mechanisms that were used to screen music, film and news for public consumption. It is also recommended that Stakeholders in youth and development and NGOs should join efforts and raise awareness of the effects of drug abuse.

Learning from each other. An autoethnographic exploration of two child welfare systems with a north-south perspective – Norway and Botswana

ABSTRACT This paper uses a collaborative autoethnographicapproach to explore how the concepts of child welfare practicerelating to child participation, family involvement, cultural andlegal practices are experienced in Norway and Botswana child welfaresystems. These concepts form the main themes of this paper and wecritic them in light of the Global Typology of child welfare systems.Norway has a child rights protection system. We argue that Botswanafalls in between a child exploitation protective system and a childmaltreatment system. The paper demonstrates the following:Originality in developing own laws and structures seems to influenceconsistency in progress; Child protection systems are influenced bylegal frameworks that need to be revised frequently; Adapting lawsfrom external structures conflict with local cultural practices ofvalue; Emphasis on kinship, family and community as alternativesupport systems helps to keep children within their natural network;When the welfare state does not promote genuine equity and equalityfor the general population, resources become more strained forchildren at risk. The intention of this paper, in making reflectionson the Botswana and Norwegian child welfare systems, as well as ourautoethnographic voices is to ignite similar autoethnographicresearch among scholars and practitioners.

Pentecostal church leaders’ support to children in need of care and protection

Churches are considered one of the important structures responsible for providing care and support to vulnerable populations. One such population are children in need of care and support. This article presents the support provided by Pentecostal religious leaders to children needing care and protection. The study was conducted in Pentecostal churches in Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality, which is found in Gauteng province, South Africa. This qualitative study used an interpretative phenomenological analysis design. Data were collected from nineteen purposively selected leaders in Pentecostal churches using face-to-face semi-structured interviews. Data analysis was guided by the interpretative phenomenological analysis framework for data analysis. Findings indicate that religious leaders within Pentecostal churches are involved in providing care and support to children in need of care. The process they are engaged in include proper identification of those children, attending to physical, psychosocial and spiritual needs. However, each religious leaders use their approach depending on the relationship they have with members of government institutions such as police services and social workers. In order to enhance the support provided the children in need of care and protection, by religious leaders within Pentecostal churches, it is recommended that religious leaders are well informed about the role of different members of multidisciplinary teams such as social workers, psychologists, police officers, parents and other community structures. Moreover, there should be formalised collaboration and referral processes that will ensure that the child’s rights are not further violated in the process of provision of support.Contribution: The study contributes to the body of knowledge regarding the role Pentecostal church religious leaders are playing in child protection. Furthermore, it sheds light on the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to ensure that children in need of care and protection are holistically supported.