Western Australian Consolidated Acts

CHILDREN AND COMMUNITY SERVICES ACT 2004 - SECT 9

9 .         Principles to be observed

                In the administration of this Act the following principles must be observed —

            (a)         the principle that the parents, family and community of a child have the primary role in safeguarding and promoting the child’s wellbeing;

            (b)         the principle that the preferred way of safeguarding and promoting a child’s wellbeing is to support the child’s parents, family and community in the care of the child;

            (c)         the principle that every child should be cared for and protected from harm;

            (d)         the principle that every child should live in an environment free from violence;

            (e)         the principle that every child should have stable, secure and safe relationships and living arrangements;

            (f)         the principle that intervention action (as defined in section 32(2)) should be taken only in circumstances where there is no other reasonable way to safeguard and promote the child’s wellbeing;

            (g)         the principle that if a child is removed from the child’s family then, so far as is consistent with the child’s best interests, the child should be given encouragement and support in maintaining contact with the child’s parents, siblings and other relatives and with any other people who are significant in the child’s life;

            (ha)         the principle that if a child is removed from the child’s family then, so far as is consistent with the child’s best interests, planning for the child’s care should occur as soon as possible in order to ensure long-term stability for the child;

            (h)         the principle that decisions about a child should be made promptly having regard to the age, characteristics, circumstances and needs of the child;

                  (i)         the principle that decisions about a child should be consistent with cultural, ethnic and religious values and traditions relevant to the child;

            (j)         the principle that a child’s parents and any other people who are significant in the child’s life should be given an opportunity and assistance to participate in decision-making processes under this Act that are likely to have a significant impact on the child’s life;

            (k)         the principle that a child’s parents and any other people who are significant in the child’s life should be given adequate information, in a manner and language that they can understand, about —

                  (i)         decision-making processes under this Act that are likely to have a significant impact on the child’s life; and

                  (ii)         the outcome of any decision about the child, including an explanation of the reasons for the decision; and

                  (iii)         any relevant complaint or review procedures;

            (l)         the principle set out in section 10(1).

        [Section 9 amended by No. 49 of 2010 s. 39.]