20Power to require child to be taken for assessment

20 Power to require child to be taken for assessment

(1)  For the purposes of an assessment, an authorised officer may require a guardian of a child or a person with whom a child is residing to cause the child to attend the place or person specified in the requirement.

(2)  An authorised officer may take a child to the place or person specified in a requirement, or that likely would have been specified in a requirement –

(a) on the request, or with the agreement, of the person who received the requirement or who could receive a requirement were one to be made; or

(b) if an authorised officer has obtained a warrant in respect of the child.

(3)  An authorised officer may apply for a warrant if –

(a) a person fails or refuses to comply with a requirement; or

(b) the officer has reasonable grounds for believing that a person would fail or refuse to comply with a requirement were one made.

(4)  When acting under a warrant, an authorised officer –

(a) may be accompanied by such police officers or employees of the Department as may be necessary or desirable; and

(b) may use such force as is reasonable.