Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers wants its expertise heard in a review of Child Youth and Family.

Social Development Minister Anne Tolley has announced a Youth Advisory Panel, made up of eight young people, that be involved in the redesign of CYF.

Association CEO Lucy Sandford-Reed said having a group of people who have experienced state care is a valid and necessary voice to have at the table.

But she believes a voice that is clearly missing is that of the carers themselves.

"Some of whom have provided amazing services and had good support from Child Youth and Family, some who have not had support and have struggled," she said.

Standford-Reed thinks the association could help Tolley "Identify a practitioner who would be able to sit at the table with an independent voice and would be very happy to do that."

According to Sandford-Reed there is also no active, practicing social worker involved in the redesign.