Doctoral Research

Dr Oates' doctoral study explored the primary research question, "what are the experiences of Indigenous child protection workers?"  Titled "Working for the welfare: exploring the experiences of Indigenous child protection workers" Dr Oates together with the research participants, explored three core aims, namely:

• to explore the experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who work in the child protection field,
• to explore the effects of historical trauma experienced by Indigenous Australians and its symptomology within a child protection workplace, and
• to explore participant views of culturally responsive models of support for Indigenous workers within the child protection system.

The experiences of the research participants tell the story of a deficiency within the child protection system—particularly in a statutory context—to meet the wellbeing needs of Indigenous workers and provide a workplace environment that is culturally safe. Also described were recurrent experiences of racism, a lack of culturally appropriate statutory child protection practice, a culture of bullying and a lack of support that acknowledges the distinctive experience of Indigenous people who undertake child protection work. Strong themes of marginalisation, isolation and oppression emerged consistently from the narratives of participants.

The research design and methodology used by Dr Oates was underpinned by critical theory and decolonisation frameworks. The decolonising theoretical underpinning of the study viewed the participants as the experts in their own experience, which provided a framework for the co-creation of knowledge.  Also included in the research design was the inclusion of ongoing consultation with a cultural broker and mentor.

The outcome of Dr Oates' study generates a body of knowledge outlining how the primary and intergenerational trauma histories of Indigenous child protection workers may affect their wellbeing at work and continued ability to maintain their presence in the child protection field. The stories of the study participants have created context and clarity for non-Indigenous supervisors regarding why the support and supervision needs of Indigenous child protection workers are different to those of non-Indigenous workers, as well as providing information to inform staff support policies and procedures. Dr Oates' study is the first of its kind in Australia and has produced a beginning evidence base for further research in this area.

**The significance of Dr Oates' research was recognised by receiving a nomination for the Deans award for research higher degree excellence in 2018.

Dr Oates' thesis in full can be found at: https://doi.org/10.25903/5bea03dc810f3