• Midwives should provide information in a way that is supportive and non-judgmental. In line with Turanga Kaupapa, aside from concerns regarding child safety, midwives should respect and accept a woman’s decision, whatever that may be (NZCOM, 2015b). • Conversely, if midwives overstep their professional boundaries and make mandatory referrals to external agencies upon positive disclosure of family violence, women may lose trust and disengage from care completely, severing the partnership. • Additionally, the midwife-woman partnership is very delicate when it comes to sensitive issues such as child safety and the involvement of child protection agencies. While an unborn child does not have legal rights in NZ and mandatory reporting of child abuse is not legislated, midwives have a professional responsibility to ensure that no midwifery action or omission places the women or her child(ren) at risk (NZCOM, 2015b). • However, the midwife needs to acknowledge that her own family background and cultural beliefs regarding parenting and childhood development could influence her practice and potentially pose a risk to the child (Turanga Kaupapa). Therefore, midwives should constantly self-reflect, consult with others and follow policy guidelines. …show more content…
If a notification to Oranga Tamariki appears necessary (in cases of identified or suspected child abuse), the woman should be informed, unless the same concerns apply (Ministry of Health, 2018). They should be made aware that Oranga Tamariki’s primary role is to explore and investigate any concerns and assist families to provide safe homes for their children with a focus on keeping children with their parents where possible. In doing so, the partnership may be