(1) If the Secretary forms the opinion, on reasonable grounds, that a child or
young person is in need of care and protection, the Secretary is to take
whatever action is necessary to safeguard or promote the safety, welfare and
well-being of the child or young person.
(2) Without limiting subsection (1),
the action that the Secretary might take in response to a report includes the
following--
(a) providing, or arranging for the provision of, support services
for the child or young person and his or her family,
(b)
development, in consultation with the parents (jointly or separately), of a
care plan to meet the needs of the child or young person and his or her family
that--
(i) does not involve taking the matter before the Children's Court, or
(ii) may be registered with the Children's Court, or
(iii) is the basis for
consent orders made by the Children's Court,
(c) ensuring the
protection of the child or young person by exercising the Secretary's
emergency protection powers as referred to in Part 1 of Chapter 5,
(d)
seeking appropriate orders from the Children's Court.
Note : In considering
what action to take under this section, the Secretary is to have regard to the
grounds under section 71 on which the Children's Court may make a care order.
