Section 57
of Children and Young Persons Act
Section 57
(1)
If a Juvenile Court is satisfied that any child or young person brought before it under section 56 is a child or young person in need of protection, it may —
(a)
order his guardian to enter into a bond to exercise proper care and guardianship for a period specified by the Court, but that period shall not extend beyond the date on which the child or young person attains the age of 18 years;
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(b)
make an order placing the child or young person in the custody of a fit person for a period specified by the Court but that period shall not extend beyond the date on which the child or young person attains the age of 18 years;
(c)
without making any other order or in addition to an order under paragraph (a) or (b), make an order placing the child or young person under the supervision of a protector, or some other person appointed for the purpose by the Court, for a period specified by the
Court, but that period shall not extend beyond the date on which the child or young person attains the age of 18 years;
(d)
make an order placing the child or young person in a place of safety for a period of 3 years from the date of the order or until he attains the age of 18 years, whichever is the longer; or
(e)
make an order placing the child or young person in the custody of a foster-parent considered suitable by the Permanent
Secretary and pending such time, placing the child or young person in a place of safety.
(2)
A Juvenile Court may, in making any order under subsection (1), impose such conditions or give such directions as it may consider appropriate for the purpose of ensuring the safety and well-being of the child or young person, 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 guardian of the child or young person an opportunity to attend and to be heard.
(4)
Notwithstanding subsection (3), an order under subsection (1)
may be made if the 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)
Before making an order under subsection (1), the Juvenile Court may obtain such information as to his family background, religion, general conduct, home surroundings, school record and medical history as may enable it to deal with the case in the best interests of the child or young
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person and may, for the purpose of obtaining such information or for any special medical examination or observation, adjourn the case for a period or periods not exceeding 2 months at a time and may make in respect of the child or young person, as an interim order having effect only during the period of any adjournment, any order which it could have made under subsection (1).
(6)
In determining what order to make under subsection (1), the
Juvenile Court shall treat the best interests of the child or young person as the paramount consideration.
(7)
If an order is made placing a child or young person in a place of safety or in the custody of a fit person or in the charge of a foster-parent, the manager in charge of that place of safety, such fit person or such foster-parent shall have the like control of the child or young person as his parent and shall be responsible for his maintenance notwithstanding that he is claimed by his guardian or any other person.
(8)
If the Juvenile Court is not satisfied that the child or young person brought before it under section 53 is in need of protection, the Court may order that the child or young person be returned to the care and custody of his guardian.
Children and young persons beyond parental control
Power of guardian to bring child or young person before Juvenile Court.