Struggling to Move Forward: Policy Implementation Barriers Faced by Rural Child Directors in China

ABSTRACT For over a decade, China's Child Director (CD) system has been gradually institutionalized as a mechanism for delivering child protection services. Yet, it continues to grapple with challenges, including resource scarcity and policy ambiguity. This study employs structuration theory to investigate how CDs respond to structural constraints while exercising agency to improve service delivery and shape practice. Through interviews conducted in Hubei Province, China, this study finds that policy frameworks both restrict and enable CDs' work. Limited resources and undetailed guidelines lead to reactive strategies. However, CDs can explore reflective practices, such as mobilizing community resources and forming informal networks, thereby addressing service gaps and mitigating administrative pressure. This study highlights that an unfavourable policy context still dominates the structure, yet CDs can drive incremental reforms within constrained systems. Enhancing policy clarity, resource allocation and cross‐departmental collaboration, as well as providing professional supervision and work support, could improve the current child protection network. Future research should evaluate the sustainability of CDs' innovative practices to inform scalable reforms in China's child welfare system.