Tian Tian: An Exploration of Social Work Intervention in cases of Child Sexual Abuse in a Multidisciplinary Context in New Zealand

The multidisciplinary approach is crucial in global child protection systems, with social workers playing a vital role in supporting victims and families. Established in 2002, Puawaitahi aims to enhance collaboration and streamline investigations and treatment. However, research on multidisciplinary collaboration within New Zealand's child protection system, especially from a social work perspective, is scarce. This study investigates the practical and conceptual challenges of collaboration at Puawaitahi and its impact on social workers' roles in child sexual abuse interventions. It involved in-depth interviews and focus groups with social workers, police, health professionals, and creative art method also applied in this research. Analysis identified key themes related to collaboration processes, communication, and power dynamics. Findings revealed strong collaboration at Puawaitahi but highlighted hierarchical influences and differing views on prioritizing clients, leading to tensions and challenges for social workers. This study underscores the need for alignment between collaborative ideals and practical realities in child protection.