Children Bill, 1989

Public bill · Government · Presented

The Children Bill, 1989 would clarify that health boards could legally take responsibility for children placed in their care, including under earlier court orders. It would allow boards to arrange foster care, residential care, adoption placements, medical treatment or, where suitable, care by a parent or another responsible person. It would also protect children where a care order was later found invalid, allowing courts to make temporary or replacement arrangements when returning the child would not be in their best interests. The measure was intended to remove legal uncertainty and prevent children from being left without proper protection because of technical problems with older orders.

Last updated 11 June 2020