New Zealand Legislation: Acts

18 Referral of care or protection cases to care and protection co-ordinator or youth justice co-ordinator by social workers or constables

• (1) Where any social worker or constable believes, after inquiry, that any child or young person is in need of care or protection (other than on the ground specified in section 14(1)(e)), that social worker or constable shall forthwith report the matter to a care and protection co-ordinator, who shall convene a family group conference in accordance with section 20.

  (2) Where any social worker suspects that any child is in need of care or protection on the ground specified in section 14(1)(e), that social worker may refer the matter to the appropriate enforcement agency.

  (3) Where any enforcement officer believes, after inquiry, that any child is in need of care or protection on the ground specified in section 14(1)(e), that enforcement officer shall forthwith report the matter to a youth justice co-ordinator, who after consulting with that enforcement officer, and if that enforcement officer believes that the making of an application for a declaration under section 67 in respect of that child is required in the public interest, shall convene a family group conference in accordance with section 247.

  Section 18 heading: amended, on 1 October 2008, pursuant to section 116(a)(ii) of the Policing Act 2008 (2008 No 72).

  Section 18(1): amended, on 1 October 2008, pursuant to section 116(a)(ii) of the Policing Act 2008 (2008 No 72).