In this article, we focus on parents' opportunities for, and experiences of, participation in child protection decision making in Queensland, Australia. Drawing on a qualitative analysis of 10 interviews with parents who have children 0–8 years of age and who have been subject to child protection investigation, we examine parents' perceptions of the process. Parents reported a range of difficulties in interactions with practitioners, including family-related and systemic factors; the most common grievances involved poor communication practices and negative worker attitudes, which created further disengagement. Conversely, interactions involving a willingness to listen, support, and provide for goal-focused plans were seen as facilitating positive outcomes. Taking into account the case complexity and interrelationships between workers' and clients' attitudes and behaviours, we discuss strategies for promoting parents' participation.
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