Statutory Powers of Officers of the Adult Protective Service, Ministry of Social and Family Development
The holder of this card is an Officer of the Ministry of Social and Family Development. The Officer is appointed as a Protector and/or Approved Welfare Officer, and may exercise powers under the following legislation for the purpose of protecting a vulnerable adult (VA) and/or survivor of family violence (FV):
a. Vulnerable Adults Act 2018 (VAA)
b. Women's Charter 1961 (WC)
Protectors
| Legislation | Section | Power |
|
Vulnerable Adults Act 2018 (VAA)
| 3(11) | Authorised to exercise or perform of any of the powers or duties imposed on the Director-General of Social Welfare by or under the VAA in cases where a vulnerable adult is in need of protection, including making an application under the VAA and appearing before the Family Justice Courts for the purposes of the VAA |
|
Women's Charter 1961 (WC)
| 65(2)(a) | Appointed as a Protector to perform any of the duties or exercise any of the powers of a Protector under the WC in cases where an individual has experienced, or is experiencing or at risk of, family violence, including making an application under the WC or appearing before the Family Justice Courts for the purposes of the WC |
| 2 | Authorised to perform any of the duties or exercise any of the powers of the Director-General of Social Welfare under sections 160, 160A, and 163 of the WC |
Approved Welfare Officers
| Legislation | Section | Power |
|
Vulnerable Adults Act 2018 (VAA)
| 3(11) | Authorised to exercise or perform of any of the powers or duties imposed on the Director-General of Social Welfare by or under the VAA in cases where a vulnerable adult is in need of protection, including making an application under the VAA and appearing before the Family Justice Courts for the purposes of the VAA |
|
Women's Charter 1961 (WC)
| 62(2)(b) | Appointed as an Approved Welfare Officer to exercise all powers of a protector under Part 7 of the WC, in cases where an individual has experienced, or is experiencing or at risk of, family violence, including making an application under the WC or appearing before the Family Justice Courts for the purposes of the WC |
| 2 | Authorised to perform any of the duties or exercise any of the powers of the Director-General of Social Welfare under sections 160 and 163 of the WC |