7Section 11 amended (Voluntary care agreement)

7 Section 11 amended (Voluntary care agreement)

Section 11 of the Principal Act is amended as follows:

(a) by omitting subsection (1) and substituting the following subsections:

(1)  In this section –

extension period means –

(a) 12 months for an agreement made under subsection (1A) in relation to a child if the Secretary considers that –

(i) the child has special needs arising from a disability; or

(ii) special circumstances exist and it is in the best interests of the child; or

(b) 3 months in any other case;

initial period means –

(a) 6 months for an agreement made under subsection (1A) in relation to a child if the Secretary considers that –

(i) the child has special needs arising from a disability; or

(ii) special circumstances exist and it is in the best interests of the child; or

(b) 3 months in any other case.

(1A)  If the guardians of a child temporarily are unable to care for or maintain the child or exercise adequate supervision of, and control over, the child –

(a) the guardians, acting together, and the Secretary may enter into an agreement under which the Secretary will have the care and custody of the child for a period not exceeding the initial period specified in the agreement; and

(b) before the termination of a care agreement, the guardians, acting together, and the Secretary may extend the agreement for a period not exceeding the extension period.

(b) by omitting from "  –" and substituting "  –";