I've seen government intervention work well, and I've seen it go horribly wrong, from the inside as one of a team of people tasked with helping children.

What works well, is when the focus is on the health and well being of the child and the family. That all breaks down as soon as politics, religion and personal agendas / vendettas get involved.

New Zealand used to have a 'cradle to grave' social welfare system. It was seen as the government's job to care for its people.

Sadly we have lost that vision. Now we are as neo-liberal as the rest of the western world, so the government views us as a revenue stream now.

I feel that good government should help and support families that are struggling. It should work to prevent abuse and neglect. and it should understand that not everyone fits into the state education system and make allowances for those that will excel in a different environment.