Published: 1981-04-24
Key Benefits:
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.