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CARE AND PROTECTION OF CHILDREN ACT 2007 (NO 37 OF 2007)

CARE AND PROTECTION OF CHILDREN ACT 2007 (NO 37 OF 2007)


TABLE OF PROVISIONS

           Long Title

CHAPTER 1--INTRODUCTION

   PART 1.1--PRELIMINARY MATTERS

   1.      Short title  
   2.      Commencement  
   3.      Act binds Crown  

   PART 1.2--WHAT THIS ACT IS ABOUT

   4.      Objects of Act  
   5.      Overview  

   PART 1.3--PRINCIPLES UNDERLYING THIS ACT

   6.      Principles  
   7.      Responsibility of Territory Government  
   8.      Role of family  
   9.      Treating child with respect  
   10.     Best interests of child  
   11.     Child participation  
   12.     Aboriginal children  

   PART 1.4--INTERPRETATION

   13.     Definitions  
   14.     Wellbeing of child  
   15.     Harm to child  
   16.     Exploitation of child  
   17.     Parent of child  
   18.     Relatives of child  
   19.     Family of child  
   20.     When child is in need of care and protection  
   21.     Daily care and control of child  
   22.     Parental responsibility for child  
   23.     Declared offences for Criminal Code  

CHAPTER 2--SAFEGUARDING WELLBEING OF CHILDREN

   PART 2.1--GENERAL OBLIGATIONS AND POWERS

           Division 1--Preliminary matters

   24.     Objects of Part  

           Division 2--Minister's powers

   25.     Minister's powers  

           Division 3--General obligations about reporting

   26.     Reporting obligations  
   27.     Protection of person making report  
   28.     What happens when police officer receives report  
   29.     What happens when CEO receives report or notification  
   30.     Duties of other persons  

           Division 4--Powers to inquire or investigate

   31.     Object of Division  
   32.     CEO may make inquiries  
   33.     Police may make inquiries  
   34.     Giving information for inquiries  
   35.     CEO's power to investigate  
   36.     Police officer's power to investigate  
   37.     Access to child  
   38.     Access to information  
   39.     Protection of persons providing access or information  
   40.     CEO may take action during inquiries or investigation  

           Division 5--General powers of CEO

   41.     Object of Division  
   42.     What CEO may do generally  
   43.     CEO may request assistance  
   44.     Child-related services  
   45.     Coordination assistance  
   46.     Temporary placement arrangement  
   47.     Multiple arrangements  

           Division 6--Mediation conference

   48.     Object of Division  
   49.     Mediation conference  

           Division 7--Provisional protection of child

   50.     Object of Division  
   51.     When CEO may take child into provisional protection  
   52.     Effect of provisional protection  
   53.     Duration of protection  
   54.     CEO may take other action  

           Division 8--Powers of authorised officers

              Subdivision 1--Moving child to safe place

   55.     Object of Subdivision  
   56.     Application  
   57.     Authorised officer may move child  

              Subdivision 2--Powers of restraint, search and seizure

   58.     Application  
   59.     Restraint  
   60.     Search  
   61.     Seizure  
   62.     Recording and reporting  

              Subdivision 3--Warrants

   63.     Warrant for access to child  
   64.     Execution of warrant  
   65.     Failure to comply with warrant  

   PART 2.2--CHILDREN IN CEO'S CARE

           Division 1--Preliminary matters

   66.     Object of Part  
   67.     When child is in CEO's care  
   68.     Young person who has left CEO's care  

           Division 2--Care plans

   69.     Application  
   70.     CEO must prepare care plan  
   71.     Modification of care plan  
   72.     Child's wishes to be taken into account  
   73.     Provision of care plan to interested parties  
   74.     Review of care plan  

           Division 3--Interim care plans

   75.     Application  
   76.     CEO must prepare interim care plan  

           Division 4--Placement arrangement

   77.     CEO must enter into placement arrangement  
   78.     Placement arrangement  
   79.     Child to be informed  
   80.     Carer to be informed  
   81.     Parents to be informed  
   82.     Payment to carer  
   83.     Property of child  
   84.     Inspection of place where child resides  
   85.     Authorised officer's power to apprehend child  

           Division 5--Young persons who have left CEO's care

   86.     Assistance for young person who has left CEO's care  

   PART 2.3--COURT'S POWERS FOR CHILDREN

           Division 1--Preliminary matters

   87.     Object of Part  

           Division 2--Family matters jurisdiction

   88.     Establishment  
   89.     Exercise of jurisdiction  
   90.     Paramount consideration  
   91.     Jurisdiction not affected by other proceedings  
   92.     Sittings of Court  

           Division 3--Court proceedings

   93.     Nature of proceedings  
   94.     Parties to proceedings  
   95.     Standard of proof  
   96.     Expedition  
   97.     Restrictions on publication  
   98.     Understanding proceedings  
   99.     Restrictions on attendance  
   100.    Appearance of parents  
   101.    Right of representation  
   102.    Hearing of applications together  

           Division 4--Orders for children

              Subdivision 1--Temporary protection order

   103.    Applying for temporary protection order  
   104.    How application is made  
   105.    Making of order  
   106.    Notice of order  
   107.    Effect of order  
   108.    Authorised officer's powers  
   109.    What happens when order ceases to be in force  
   110.    Other action for child while order in force  

              Subdivision 2--Assessment order

   111.    Applying for assessment order  
   112.    How application is made  
   113.    When Court may hear application  
   114.    Court to consider certain matters  
   115.    Order of Court  
   116.    Notice of order  
   117.    Effect of order  
   118.    Refusal to submit to assessment  
   119.    What happens after assessment  
   120.    CEO may take other action  

              Subdivision 3--Protection order

   121.    Applying for protection order  
   122.    How application is made  
   123.    Directions in protection order  
   124.    Notice of application  
   125.    Parties to proceedings  
   126.    Hearing in absence of parents  
   127.    Court-ordered mediation conference  
   128.    Order of Court  
   129.    When Court must make order  
   130.    Court to consider certain matters  
   131.    Extraterritoriality  
   132.    Duration of order  
   133.    Notice of order  
   134.    Obligations to supervise protection of child  
   135.    Obligations of CEO for order  
   136.    Extension of order  
   137.    Variation and revocation of order  

           Division 5--Adjournment

   138.    Court may adjourn proceeding  
   139.    Order on adjournment  

           Division 6--Appeal

   140.    Appeal to Supreme Court  
   141.    Stay of decision  
   142.    Hearing appeal  
   143.    Power of Supreme Court  

           Division 7--Other procedural matters

   144.    Application  
   145.    Medical practitioner may disclose information  
   146.    Legal representative of child  
   147.    Attendance of child  
   148.    Submissions from other persons  
   149.    Report required by Court  
   150.    Confidentiality  
   151.    Examination and cross-examination of witnesses  

   PART 2.4--TRANSFER OF ORDERS AND PROCEEDINGS

           Division 1--Preliminary matters

   152.    Object of Part  
   153.    Definitions  
   154.    Child welfare law, interstate law and interstate officer  

           Division 2--Transfer of child protection orders

              Subdivision 1--Transfer by CEO

   155.    When CEO may transfer order  
   156.    Terms of transfer  
   157.    Persons whose consent is required  
   158.    Notice of decision  
   159.    Review of decision  

              Subdivision 2--Transfer by Court

   160.    When CEO may apply to Court for transfer  
   161.    Service of application  
   162.    When Court may hear application  
   163.    Court must consider certain matters  
   164.    Order of Court  

           Division 3--Transfer of child protection proceedings

   165.    When CEO may apply to Court for transfer  
   166.    Service of application  
   167.    When Court may hear application  
   168.    Court must consider certain matters  
   169.    Order of Court  
   170.    Interim order  

           Division 4--Registration

              Subdivision 1--Transfer of orders and proceedings to Territory

   171.    Filing of documents for transfer of child protection order  
   172.    Filing of documents for transfer of child protection proceeding  
   173.    Registration of transfer  
   174.    Effect of registration  
   175.    Revocation of registration  
   176.    Notification by Registrar of Court  

              Subdivision 2--Transfer of orders and proceedings from Territory

   177.    Effect of registration and revocation of home order in receiving State  
   178.    Effect of registration and revocation of home proceeding in receiving State  
   179.    Transfer of Court file  

           Division 5--Other matters

   180.    Hearing and determination of transferred proceeding  
   181.    Disclosure of information  
   182.    Discretion of CEO to consent to transfer  
   183.    Interstate officer's decision not reviewable  

CHAPTER 3--PREVENTION OF HARM AND EXPLOITATION

   PART 3.1--SCREENING FOR CHILD-RELATED EMPLOYMENT

   184.    Object of Part  
   185.    Child-related employment  
   186.    Person exempt from operation of Part  
   187.    Obligations for child-related employment  
   188.    Application for clearance notice  
   189.    Decisions on application  
   190.    Provision of information  
   191.    Administrative guidelines  
   192.    When clearance notice ceases to be in force  
   193.    Change of circumstances requiring imposition of conditions  
   194.    Local Court may review decision of Authority  
   195.    Confidential information  
   196.    Screening Authority  
   197.    Regulations  

   PART 3.2--EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN

   198.    Objects of Part  
   199.    Interaction with Education Act  
   200.    Definitions  
   201.    CEO's power to restrict employment of children  
   202.    Misleading information about child's age  
   203.    Obligation of employers and parents  
   204.    Inspections  
   205.    Authorised officer may require provision of information  
   206.    Local Court may review decision  

   PART 3.3--PREVENTION OF CHILD DEATHS

   207.    Object of Part  
   208.    Child deaths  
   209.    Establishment of Committee  
   210.    Functions of Committee  
   211.    Provision of information to Committee  
   212.    Child Deaths Register  
   213.    Annual report  
   214.    Report about research  
   215.    Advisors to Committee  
   216.    Deputy Convenor  
   217.    Vacation of office of member or advisor  
   218.    Termination of appointment  
   219.    Meetings of Committee  
   220.    Disclosure of interest  
   221.    Confidential information  
   222.    Review of operation of Part  

CHAPTER 4--REGULATION OF CHILDREN'S SERVICES

   PART 4.1--PRELIMINARY MATTERS

   223.    Object of Chapter  
   224.    Children's services  
   225.    Home-based services  
   226.    Services requiring licence  
   227.    Services requiring registration  

   PART 4.2--KEY OBLIGATIONS

   228.    Obligation for providers  
   229.    Obligation of responsible person and other persons  

   PART 4.3--SERVICES PROVIDED UNDER LICENCE

   230.    Application for licence  
   231.    Granting of licence  
   232.    Conditions of licence  
   233.    Term of licence  
   234.    Display of licence  
   235.    Replacement of licence  
   236.    When licence ceases to be in force  
   237.    Suspension and revocation of licence  
   238.    Surrender of licence  
   239.    Report about change of circumstances  
   240.    Continuation of services by caretaker  

   PART 4.4--SERVICES PROVIDED UNDER ACTION PLAN AGREEMENT

   241.    Entering into agreement  
   242.    Action plan agreement  
   243.    Making of agreement  
   244.    Effect of agreement  
   245.    Termination of agreement  
   246.    Offence  

   PART 4.5--SERVICES PROVIDED UNDER REGISTRATION

   247.    Application for registration  
   248.    Conditions of registration  
   249.    Term of registration  
   250.    When registration ceases to be in force  

   PART 4.6--COMPLIANCE

   251.    Inspections  
   252.    Authorised officer may require provision of information  
   253.    Arrangements for this Part  

   PART 4.7--REVIEW

   254.    Application for review  
   255.    Review panel  
   256.    Review by panel  

   PART 4.8--ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS

   257.    Regulations  

CHAPTER 5--ADMINISTRATION

   PART 5.1--CHILDREN'S COMMISSIONER

           Division 1--Preliminary matters

   258.    Object of Part  
   259.    Commissioner  
   260.    Commissioner's functions  
   261.    Commissioner's powers  
   262.    Commissioner's independence  

           Division 2--Complaints

              Subdivision 1--Procedures for making complaints

   263.    Making complaint  
   264.    Grounds for complaint  
   265.    When complaint must be made  

              Subdivision 2--Dealing with complaints

   266.    Initial assessment of complaint  
   267.    Notification of initial assessment  
   268.    Complaint referred to another person or body  
   269.    Notice to responsible service provider before investigation  
   270.    Access to child  
   271.    Access to information  
   272.    Notification at end of investigation  

              Subdivision 3--Offences about complaints

   273.    Failure to comply with notice  
   274.    Misleading document  
   275.    Preventing or obstructing complaint  
   276.    False complaint  
   277.    Obstructing or improperly influencing investigation  

           Division 3--Commissioner's reports

   278.    Annual report and other reports  
   279.    Report authorised by Speaker  

           Division 4--Disclosure of confidential information

   280.    Disclosure of information to Commissioner generally  
   281.    Direction by Commissioner not to disclose information  
   282.    Confidentiality  

           Division 5--Immunity

   283.    Immunity – complainant and informants  
   284.    Immunity – Commissioner and staff  

           Division 6--Administrative matters

   285.    Term of appointment  
   286.    Conditions of appointment  
   287.    Leave  
   288.    Resignation  
   289.    Suspension and termination of appointment  
   290.    Acting Commissioner  
   291.    Oath of office  
   292.    Delegation  
   293.    Staff of Commissioner  

   PART 5.2--REVIEW TEAMS

   294.    Object of Part  
   295.    Establishment  
   296.    Functions of team  
   297.    Reports of team  
   298.    Regulations  

   PART 5.3--GENERAL OFFENCES

   299.    Obstruction  
   300.    Impersonating officer  
   301.    Disclosure of child's identity  

   PART 5.4--OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS

   302.    Approved forms  
   303.    Delegation  
   304.    Authorised officers  
   305.    Identity cards  
   306.    Misleading documents  
   307.    Misleading information  
   308.    Confidential information  
   309.    Protection from liability  
   310.    Regulations  

   PART 5.5--REPEALS AND TRANSITIONAL MATTERS FOR CARE AND PROTECTION OF CHILDREN ACT 2007

           Division 1--Repeals

   311.    Repeals  

           Division 2--Transitional matters for Chapter 2

   312.    Definitions  
   313.    Arrangements for assistance  
   314.    Investigations  
   315.    Temporary custody  
   316.    Foster parent  
   317.    Foster care  
   318.    Child in custody or detention  
   319.    Transfer of proceedings and records  
   320.    Orders and directions  
   321.    Ministerial decisions  
   322.    Interstate orders  

           Division 3--Transitional matters for Part 3.2

   323.    Consent for child's employment  

           Division 4--Transitional matters for Chapter 4

   324.    Definitions  
   325.    Saving of old licences  
   326.    Renewal of old licences  
   327.    Granting of licences during transitional period  
   328.    Authorised persons  

           Division 5--Other transitional matters

   329.    Definitions  
   330.    Agreement with parent  
   331.    References relating to Community Welfare Act  
   332.    Section 12 of Interpretation Act  
   333.    Transitional regulations  

   PART 5.6--CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS

           Division 1--Amendment of Youth Justice Act

   334.    Act amended  
   335.    Repeal and substitution of section 51  

           Division 2--Amendment of other Acts

   336.    Amendment of Bail Act  
   337.    Amendment of Coroners Act  
   338.    Amendment of Evidence Act  
   339.    Amendment of Information Act  
   340.    Amendment of Mental Health and Related Services Act  
   341.    Amendment of Adoption of Children Regulations  
   342.    Amendment of Court Security Regulations  
   343.    Amendment of Work Health Regulations  
   344.    Amendment of Supreme Court Rules  

           Division 3--Expiry of Part

   345.    Expiry  
           SCHEDULE