CARE AND PROTECTION OF CHILDREN ACT 2007 (NO 37 OF 2007) - SECT 49 Mediation conference
CARE AND PROTECTION OF CHILDREN ACT 2007 (NO 37 OF 2007) - SECT 49
Mediation conference(1) The CEO may arrange for a mediation conference to be convened for a child if:
(a) concerns have been raised about the wellbeing of the child; and
(b) the CEO reasonably believes the conference may address those concerns; and
(c) the parents of the child are willing to participate in the conference.
(2) The CEO may do so whether or not the CEO has already taken any other action for the child under this Part, Part 2.2 or Part 2.3.
(3) The conference may be convened for any purposes relating to those concerns as specified by the CEO.
(4) Without limiting subsection (3), the conference may be convened for one or more of the following purposes:
(a) establishing the circumstances giving rise to those concerns;
(b) reviewing an arrangement that has been made for the care of the child;
(c) making recommendations about the care of the child;
(d) arriving at an agreement on the best means of safeguarding the wellbeing of the child.
(5) The CEO must appoint a person (the convenor ) who is approved by the parents of the child and has the qualifications or experience prescribed by regulation to convene the conference.
(6) The convenor may invite the parents and other persons to attend the conference as the convenor considers appropriate.
(7) The regulations may make any provision for the conference, including the following:
(a) any procedural and reporting requirements for the conference;
(b) the appointment of a person to represent the interests of the child in the conference;
(c) the making of any agreement arising from the conference;
(d) the powers and functions of the convenor.