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Care and Protection of Children Act 2007
57Authorised officer may move child
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57 Authorised officer may move child
(1) The officer may apprehend the child.
(1A) For the purpose of doing so, the officer may enter the place where
the child is found.
(1B) If the officer apprehends the child, the officer must:
(a) return the child to the child's usual place of residence; or
(b) if it is not practicable or appropriate to do so:
(i) move the child to a safe place; and
(ii) keep the child at the safe place; and
(iii) make any arrangement for the care and protection of the
child at the safe place.
(2) The officer may use any reasonable force or assistance in acting
under subsections (1) to (1B).
(3) The child may be cared for at the safe place until the resumption of
the care of the child by a person (a responsible person) who has
daily care and control of the child.
(4) The officer must, as soon as practicable after moving the child:
(a) take all necessary steps to inform a responsible person about
moving the child; and
(b) if the officer is a police officer – inform the CEO about moving
(5) The exercise of the officer's powers under subsections (1) to (1B)
does not:
(a) affect any power, right or responsibility of a responsible
person in relation to the child; or
(b) prevent the officer or any other person from holding, at a later
time, the belief that the child is in need of protection.
Care and Protection of Children Act 2007 36
(6) In this section:
safe place:
(a) includes:
(i) a place where the child may be temporarily kept for the
child's safety (including a Part of a police station not
normally used to detain a person); and
(ii) a place specified by regulation; but
(b) does not include a custodial correctional facility (as defined in
section 11(1)(a) of the Correctional Services Act 2014), lockup
or any other place that a person may be remanded in custody.