Survivor panel discussion at the Foster Care Hearing 17 June 2022
***Distressing content warning***
Panel member summaries
Dr Tania Cargo, Facilitator
At the time of the hearing Dr Cargo was a senior Māori clinical psychologist and senior lecturer in psychological medicine. Dr Cargo was also a national trainer for Parent-Child Interaction therapy (PCIT) in Aotearoa New Zealand and a member of the International Board of PCIT. She had been working in child and adolescent mental health for 18 years and had been specialising in infant mental health for 12 years.
Neta Kerepeti
Ms Kerepeti is of Te Rarawa, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Wai, and Ngāti Mutunga descent. She had previously provided evidence at the Abuse in children’s State residential care public hearing. Ms Kerepeti was one of the panel members discussing the changes that are needed to support children in State care.
Dallas Pickering
At the time of the hearing Ms Pickering had 20 years of professional experience in the field of social work. She had valuable insights into contemporary issues within the State care system. She is also a survivor who was abused first by the family who adopted her, and then in the foster care system when removed from that family. Ms Pickering had previously given evidence at the Contextual Hearing and was one of the panel members to discuss the changes that are needed to support children in State care.
Kath Coster
Ms Coster is the third generation of her family to have been in State care. She shared her experiences of her early family life and multiple foster and family home placements. Ms Coster discussed the impacts that foster care had on her life including her health and relationships and the significant effect it has had on her cultural identity. Ms Coster shared her recommendations for change.
Dr Sarah Calvert
Dr Calvert is a renowned Family Court clinical psychologist who specialises in work with children and adolescents. Dr Calvert is experienced in areas of family conflict, sexual assault, treatment of victims and dynamics of sexual and physical assault on children and adults.
Dr Ian Hyslop
At the time of the hearing Dr Hyslop was a senior lecturer at the University of Auckland. His professional interests are tied to a concern with the relationship between social work and social justice, locally and globally. Dr Hyslop has worked as a social worker, supervisor, and practice manager in statutory child protection practice in Auckland. His recent book looks at the critical history of the relationship between child protection and liberal capitalism with an emphasis on the tensions with indigenous models of family life.