ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS

PART I
Preliminary

SECTION

1.        Short title

2.        Interpretation

PART II
Commissioners of Child Welfare and Children's Courts

3.        Commissioner of child welfare

4.        Functions of commissioner

5.        Establishment and jurisdiction of children's court

PART III
Protection of Infants

6.        Notice to be given of reception of infant

7.        Duties of commissioner in connection with protected infants

8.        Visiting and examination of infants

9.        Limitation of number and age of protected infants to be kept in premises

10.        Certain persons may not keep protected infants

PART IV
Prevention of Neglect and Ill-treatment of Children

11.        Neglect or ill-treatment of children

12.        Corruption of children

13.        Medical examination and treatment of children

PART V
Children in Need of Care

14.        When child is in need of care

15.        Removal of child in need of care to place of safety

16.        Procedure of court holding enquiry in respect of children in need of care

17.        Holding of enquiry by children's court

18.        Power of parent or guardian to bring child before children's court

19.        Power of children's court in respect of children in need of care

20.        Failure of child to comply with order

21.        Commission of offence by parent or guardian

PART VI
Juvenile Courts

.        Establishment of juvenile courts

23.        Officers of juvenile court

24.        Sitting of juvenile court

25.        Prohibition of publication

26.        Application of Magistrates' Courts Act and rules

27.        Institution of proceedings against a child or juvenile

28.        Manner of dealing with child or juvenile charged with offence

29.        Court to explain order for probation to offender

30.        Discharge, etc. of order for probation

31.        Appeals and review

32.        Appointment of probation officers

33.        Appointment of probation committee

PART VII
Establishment of Homes, Schools and Institutions for the Reception of Children

34.        Establishment of premises for reception of children and juveniles

35.        Approved homes and institutions

36.        Obligation of owner, etc., of approved child welfare institution

37.        Offences and penalty

38.        Regulations

Act 5, 1981,
Act 8, 2003,
Act 14, 2005.

An Act to make provision for the custody and care of children; for the appointment of commissioners of child welfare; for the establishment of children's and juvenile courts and of certain institutions for the reception of children; and for other matters connected therewith.

[Date of Commencement: 24th April, 1981]

1.       Short title

            This Act may be cited as the Children's Act.

2.         Interpretation

            In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires-

            "approved child welfare institution" means an institution established under section 34 or approved under section 35;

            "child" means any person who is under the age of 14 years;

            "child in need of care" has the meaning assigned to it by section 14;

            "children's court" means a court established by section 5;

            "commissioner" means a commissioner of child welfare referred to in section 3;

            "fit person" means a person in charge of an approved child welfare institution;

            "foster parent" means any person who, whether for reward or otherwise, undertakes the temporary care of any child placed in his custody under section 19(1)(b);

            "guardian" means a person who has for the time being the charge of or control over a child or juvenile or a person appointed according to law to be the guardian of a child;

            "infant" means a person under the age of seven years;

            "juvenile" means a person who has attained the age of 14 years and is under the age of 18 years;

            "juvenile court" has the meaning assigned to it by section 22;

            "juvenile court assistant" means an officer referred to in section 23(2);

            "place of safety" means any approved child welfare institution;

            "prescribed" means prescribed by regulations made under section 38;

            "probation officer" means a probation officer appointed under section 32;

            "protected infant" means an infant referred to in section 6(1);

            "social welfare officer" means an officer of the Ministry of Local Government and Lands designated as such.