(1)  Subject to this Act, the Secretary may provide for the care of a child who is under the guardianship, or in the custody, of the Secretary under this Act or any other enactment in any one or more of the following ways:

(a) by placing the child, or permitting the child to remain, in the care of a guardian of the child or a member of the child's family;

(b) by placing the child in the care of any person or any body of persons, corporate or unincorporate, the Secretary considers suitable;

(c) by giving such directions as to the care of the child in the place in which the child resides as the Secretary considers appropriate;

(d) by making arrangements for the education of the child;

(e) by making arrangements (including admission to hospital) for the medical or dental examination or treatment of the child or for such other professional examination or treatment as may be necessary or desirable;

(f) by making such other provision for the care of the child (including financial assistance) as the Secretary considers appropriate.

(2)  In making provision for the care of a child, the Secretary must –

(a) consider the best interests of the child to be the paramount consideration; and

(b) have regard to the principles set out in Part 1A ; and

(c) make provision for the physical, intellectual, psychological and emotional development of the child; and

(d) have regard to the desirability of securing stable living arrangements for the child.

(3)  Unless the Secretary considers that it would not be in the best interests of a child to do so, the Secretary must –

(a) notify the guardians of the child about where the child is placed and the circumstances of the child as soon as reasonably practicable after the child is placed in the custody of the Secretary; and

(b) keep the guardians of the child informed about where the child is placed and how the child is being cared for.