Statutory Powers of Officers of the Child 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 child or young person (CYP)and/or survivor of family violence (FV):
a. Children and Young Persons Act 1993 (CYPA)
b. Women's Charter 1961 (WC)
Protectors
| Legislation | Section | Power |
|
Children and Young Persons Act 1993 (CYPA)
| 3(3) | Appointed as a Protector, to perform any of the duties or exercise any of the powers of a protector under the CYPA in cases where a child or young person is in need of care or protection, including making an application under the CYPA or appearing before the Youth Court for the purposes of the CYPA |
| 3(4) | Appointed as an Approved Welfare Officer, to carry out any investigation, assessment, supervision, consultation or evaluation in relation to any child or young person or the parent, guardian or family members thereof for the purpose of determining the welfare and state of development of such child or young person or for any other purpose under the CYPA | |
|
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 |
|
Children and Young Persons Act 1993 (CYPA)
| 3(3) | To perform any of the duties or exercise any of the powers of a protector under the CYPA in cases where a child or young person is in need of care or protection, including making an application under the CYPA or appearing before the Youth Court for the purposes of the CYPA Note: Applying to Court for a Care & Protection Order when a child needs to be removed |
| 3(4) | To carry out any investigation, assessment, supervision, consultation or evaluation in relation to any child or young person or the parent, guardian or family members thereof for the purpose of determining the welfare and state of development of such child or young person or for any other purpose under the CYPA | |
|
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 |