On 26/05/2013,
you requested for the version in force on 26/05/2013
incorporating all amendments published on or before 26/05/2013.
The closest version currently available is that of 01/10/2001.
24. Section 48 of the principal Act is repealed and the following sub-heading and section substituted therefor:
“
Children and Young Persons in need of Care and Protection48.
—(1) Subject to the provisions of this section, if a Juvenile Court is satisfied that any person brought before it is a child or young person in need of care or protection, the Court may —
(a)
order the parent or guardian of the child or young person to enter into a bond to exercise proper care and guardianship of the child or young person for such period as may be specified by the Court;
(b)
order the child or young person to be committed to the care of a fit person for such period as may be specified by the Court;
(c)
order the child or young person to be committed to an approved home or a place of safety for such period as may be specified by the Court; or
(d)
without making any other order or in addition to an order under paragraph (a), (b) or (c), make an order placing the child or young person under the supervision of a protector, an approved welfare officer or any other person appointed for that purpose by the Court, for such period as may be specified by the Court.
(2) A Juvenile Court may, in making any order under subsection (1), impose such conditions or give such directions as it thinks fit for the purpose of ensuring the safety and well-being of the child or young person in respect of whom such order is made, and every person upon whom such conditions are imposed or to whom such directions are given shall comply with such conditions or directions.
(3) No order under subsection (1) shall be made without giving the parent or guardian of the child or young person an opportunity to attend and be heard.
(4) Notwithstanding subsection (3), an order under subsection (1) may be made if the parent or guardian of the child or young person, having been required to attend, has failed to do so or cannot be found within a reasonable time.
(5) In determining what order to be made under subsection (1), the Juvenile Court shall treat the welfare of the child or young person as the paramount consideration and shall endeavour to obtain such information as to the family background, general conduct, home surroundings, school record, medical history and state of development of the child or young person as may enable the Court to deal with the case in the best interests of the child or young person.
(6) For the purpose of subsection (5), the Juvenile Court may —
(a)
require any person who, in the opinion of the Court, is able to furnish any information regarding the child or young person to furnish to the Court such information as the Court may specify;
(b)
require the parent or guardian of the child or young person to render such assistance to the Court as the Court thinks necessary;
(c)
order the child or young person to be sent for an assessment by a registered medical practitioner or an approved welfare officer;
(d)
require the parent or guardian of the child or young person to undergo such medical, psychological or other assessment as the Court thinks necessary; and
(e)
from time to time adjourn the case for such period as it thinks necessary and make in respect of the child or young person, as an interim order having effect only during the period of adjournment, any order which it could have made under subsection (1).
(7) Where the Juvenile Court requires any child or young person or the parent or guardian thereof to undergo any assessment under subsection (6)(c) or (d) —
(a)
the person carrying out the assessment shall provide a written report to the Court stating the results of his assessment, and such report may be received and considered by the Court without being read aloud; and
(b)
the costs of and incidental to any such assessment shall be borne by the parent or guardian of the child or young person, unless the Court directs otherwise.
(8) If the Juvenile Court is not satisfied that the child or young person brought before it is in need of protection, the Court may order that the child or young person be returned to the care and custody of his parent or guardian.”.