The Impact of Neo-Liberalism on Child Protection

The assignment requires an analysis of the impact of neo-liberalism on child protection in Australia. It involves researching the concept of neo-liberalism, its effects on the Australian economy, and its influence on community services and child protection. The essay will utilize secondary sources to provide a holistic perspective on the topic.

Analyse the impact of Neo-liberalism on the
community and human services in Australia.

Interpreting the topic
This essay focuses on identifying the impact which has been carried by neo-liberalism
upon child protection practices in the Australian Region. Neo-liberalism consists of a set of
economic policies which emphasize on free market competition. This theory applies minimum
intervention of government in social and economic grounds. Neo-liberalism promotes 'free'
market approaches and efforts of the state are directed in promoting the market rather than
undertaking public welfare activities (Impact of Neo-Liberalism, 2016). This type of market is
focused over promotion of trade through cutting down of trade barriers and duties. This topic
have been garnering lot of attention in the Australian media and has been undertaken for this
research as well.
Exploring the topic
There is a plenty of information available relating to this topic on the internet platforms
and course materials which are helpful in availed a detailed understanding on the subject. The
course materials and some journals undertaken for the project are helpful in analysing available
information in an appropriate manner. Although it was not easy to gather right information from
the library as there was numerous journals and articles who have emphasized on the topic of
Neo-liberalism and child protection in Australia. The search strategy which has been opted for
this project is Searching for Keywords. This strategy focuses on identifying some keywords in
the abstract and statute title of reference. Some keywords which were focused upon during
collection of data are: Neo-liberalism, child protection in Australia, Study, Outcome, people and
human services.
Finding relevant supporting sources
This section focuses on identifying the authenticity of references utilised for completion
of this project. The 4 journal articles which has been considered for completion of this research
essay are as follows:
Baum, F. & et. al, (2016). Comprehensive primary health care under neo-liberalism
in Australia. Social Science & Medicine, 168, 43-52.
This journal attempted to understand and highlight the change which has been brought
prior to implementation of Neo-liberalism in healthcare. Neo-liberal reform to health sector have
been successful in providing comprehensive healthcare to people and there is a significant

reduction in health problems associated with clinical care. The information have been published
in the year 2016 and have not been revised since. There is a greater degree of relevance of this
topic to this project as it involvement influence of neo-liberal practices upon health care which
relates to community and human services. The prime author for this journal is Fran Baum who
has been working with South-gate Institute for Health society and equity. Therefore Author can
be mentioned as authentic and carries a decent credibility in the market. The knowledge and
information obtained from this journal will be helpful in gaining understanding on how neo-
liberalism will be impacting child protection and community in healthcare department.
Healthcare sector can be considered as a crucial section which can be termed as a major
contributor when it comes to offering ideal child protection services.
Churchill, H., & Fawcett, B. (2016). Refocusing on early intervention and family
support: A review of child welfare reforms in New South Wales, Australia. Social Policy
and Society, 15(2), 303-316.
This journal attempted to understand and evaluate the child development practices which
have been carrying out since 2000 year. The NSW have been carrying out major child protection
reforms so that there is significant improvement in the manner children are born and brought up.
The services included cost effective treatment and early family intervention so that major
challenges or issues can be countered effectively. Information collected in the year 2016 and
have not been revised yet. The information relates to year 2016 and could be further utilised for
understanding and further utilising information for this project. This journal article can be easily
cited for this project as it involves a detailed study on the child welfare reforms and major
challenges which were encountered. Harriet Churchill is the prime author for this article who
works for Department of sociological studies, University of Sheffield. The information
published can be considered as authentic as it has been formed after a careful review of another
studies published in the same domain supported with use of personal knowledge and experience
in the field of sociology. The information will be utilised in the manner to identify how practices
and intervention of child protection have resulted and how that have influenced post introduction
of neo-liberalism in the Australia.
Gray, M. & et. al, (2015). Perspectives on neo-liberalism for human service
professionals. Social Service Review, 89 (2), 368-392.

This journal defines and understand the ideology of neo-liberalism in context of human
services. It is equally important to understand how neo-liberal affects human services practices
particularly in Australia. The information have been collected through a detailed interview with
human services providers with a purpose of modifying and altering public policy and delivery.
The information presented in journal have been collected by Mel Gray who works at University
of Newcastle. This topic does not require any current information as it mostly relies upon the
perspectives of people working in the human welfare territory. There is a high degree of
relevance to this project as it involves concepts of Neo-liberalism and manner through which it
impacts on human services. The information presented have been peer reviewed and does not
carry any tone of bias. The justification for same is that author have presented both praises and
criticism of Neo-liberalism and its impact upon human services through this article. The purpose
of emphasizing on this article that it carries a general views and opinions of how neo-liberalism
have influenced their work practices. The opinions offered can be considered for identifying
latest approaches through which child protection can be improved within the country.
Beer, A. (2012). The economic geography of Australia and its analysis: From
industrial to post‐industrial regions. Geographical Research, 50(3), 269-281.
This journal attempts to identify the influence that has been brought by neo-liberalism
and governance of region on economic parameters of the country. Although this journal
identifies the new challenges which will be facing Australian Economy and how they can be
countered for sustainable growth. Andrew Beer who is an author for this journal is working
under centre for housing, urban and region planning for University of Adelaide. The information
have been published and revised numerous time since as it involves latest data, facts & figures
etc. Although information presented lies in advanced category as it involves numerous concepts
which are beyond understanding of the researcher. The authenticity of this journal could be
identified through presentation and analysis of fact and figures which are relevant and up to date.
This journal is considered for a reason is that it presents influence of neo-liberalism upon
economy of the country which directly influences purchasing power of the people. The ability of
sufficient buying power makes it easier for them to avail services relating to child protection and
healthcare.

Planning your essay
The essay question attempts to analyse the impact of neo-liberalism in child protection in
the Australian region. The concept of neo-liberalism is a widespread concept in the country and
have proved to beneficial for the economic domains as well. However the implication of 'Free
Market' is yet to determined upon community services and child protection which were earlier
controlled and regulated by government agencies exclusively. Therefore it is essential to
understand this segment and identify how privatised economy supports child protection.
The few points which will be included in the report relates to:
 initially concept of Neo-liberalism will be emphasized and elaborated as it is core to this
essay. (Beer, 2012),
 Impact of Neo-liberalism upon Australian Economy and how it affect living standard of
people (Beer, 2012).
 Influence of neo-liberalism upon community services (Baum, and et. al, (2016),
 Neo-liberalism and child protection (Churchill and Fawcett, 2016)
There will be an extensive use of secondary sources availed through the course materials
and online libraries for purpose of completion of this essay. The use of distinct sources will be
helpful in assuring that holistic perspective related to subject topic is formed and further reflected
the same in the coursework.
Taking the next steps
There will be need to focus upon the right set of data collection for completion of this
essay. The identification and interpretation of information is crucial as it define how well I have
finished this task. There is a skill gap as I believe there is a lack of competence which needs to
be emphasized before initiating this essay. I have to seek additional guidance from friends and
tutor so that this undertaking could be fulfilled in an appropriate manner.

References
Books and Journal
Baum, F. & et. al, (2016). Comprehensive primary health care under neo-liberalism in Australia.
Social Science & Medicine, 168, 43-52.
Churchill, H., & Fawcett, B. (2016). Refocusing on early intervention and family support: A
review of child welfare reforms in New South Wales, Australia. Social Policy and
Society, 15(2), 303-316.
Gray, M. & et. al, (2015). Perspectives on neo-liberalism for human service professionals. Social
Service Review, 89 (2), 368-392.
Beer, A. (2012). The economic geography of Australia and its analysis: From industrial to post‐
industrial regions. Geographical Research, 50(3), 269-281.
Online
Impact of Neo-Liberalism, 2016. [Online]. Available through: <https://theconversation.com/the-
state-of-australia-welfare-and-inequality-26037>