A Wicked Issue

Due to its multifaceted challenges, reunifying children in state care with their biological families is a profoundly complex and often misunderstood process. While every Australian state jurisdiction positions reunification as a legislative and policy priority, in practice, it is significantly under-resourced. This chapter will critically examine the reunification process in the Australian child protection context. The chapter focuses on the consequences of poorly supported reunification efforts, including the cumulative harm experienced by children as they navigate the child protection system. It will argue that the absence of tailored reunification therapy as a standard component of intervention and how this deepens risk and undermines the potential for safe and sustainable family restoration. This chapter will advocate for a shift toward holistic, evidence-informed approaches that consider families' individual needs and promote long-term well-being for children returning to their biological family-based care.