Child Care Act, 1991

Access to children in care.

37.—(1) Where a child is in the care of a health board whether by virtue of an order under Part III or IV or otherwise, the board shall, subject to the provisions of this Act, facilitate reasonable access to the child by his parents, any person acting in loco parentis, or any other person who, in the opinion of the board, has a bona fide interest in the child and such access may include allowing the child to reside temporarily with any such person.

(2) Any person who is dissatisfied with arrangements made by a health board under subsection (1) may apply to the court, and the court may—

(a) make such order as it thinks proper regarding access to the child by that person, and

(b) vary or discharge that order on the application of any person.

(3) The court, on the application of a health board, and if it considers that it is necessary to do so in order to safeguard or promote the child's welfare, may—

(a) make an order authorising the board to refuse to allow a named person access to a child in its care, and

(b) vary or discharge that order on the application of any person.

(4) This section is without prejudice to section 4 (2).