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promptly of instances where children are,or are likely to become, in need of
care, protection, or control (i.e. a child who is not receiving proper care,
protection, or guidance and is falling into bad associations; or is exposed
to moral danger; or is likely as a result to suffer; or whose health or
proper development are likely to be seriously affected; or a child who is
beyond the control of his parents). Suitable arrangements are then made
between the Departments for the child's welfare to be safeguarded, bearing
in mind the duty to offer advice, guidance and assistance if it would
diminish the need to bring the child before the Court. Any worker in a
Voluntary Organisation, or member of the public who has reason to believe
that a child is in need of care, protection, or control, should get in
touch with the Children's Officer without delay.
Children Beyond Control
The Children's Officer is responsible for investigating the circumstances
of all children alleged to be beyond the control of their parents, arranges
for voluntary advice, guidance, and supervision in suitable instances and,
if necessary, arranges for the children to be brought before the Juvenile
Court.
Medical Arrangements
(a) Before a child is boarded-out a full medical examination is undertaken,
and the report is submitted to the Medical Officer of Health for
approval that the child is fit to be boarded-out under the Regulations.
(b) Medical Examinations during the boarding-out. A child boarded-out
must be examined by a duly qualified medical practitioner:
(i) within one month after being boarded-out, unless the child has
attained the age of 2 years, and and has been medically examined
within three months before being boar4ed-out, and
(ii) at least once in every six months if he has not attained the age
of two years, or at least once a year if he has attained that age.
The reports of subsequent medical examinations are not seen by a Medical
Officer in the normal course of events, and would only be referred to the
Medical Officer of Health if the Senior Child Care Officer and Child Care
Officer who receive the report were concerned about any matters affecting
the child.
(c) Apart from these statutory requirements for medical examination
and report, it is the duty of the local authority to ensure that adequate
arrangements are made for a child boarded-out to receive medical and dental
attention as required. This is dealt with by the Child Care Officer who,
on her visit, would comment on the child's health, and be assured that in
fact adequate arrangements had been made. This generally means that the child
is registered with the same doctor as the foster parents, and there is
usually no difficulty.
Child Protection - Children Act, 1958
The purpose of this Act was to provide that children cared for,for reward,
under private arrangements were visited by child care staff to ensure their
well-being. This Act was amended by the Children and Young Persons Act, 1969,
to broaden the categories of children concerned (e.g. children placed
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