Children Act, 2001

Action by Court on report of probation and welfare officer

82.—(1) Where an action plan is submitted to the Court pursuant to section 81 (a), the Court may—

(a) approve of the plan or amend it, and

(b) order that the child concerned shall comply with it and be supervised by a probation and welfare officer while it is in operation.

(2) Where the probation and welfare officer reports to the Court pursuant to section 81 (b) that the family conference did not reach agreement on an action plan, the Court may—

(a) where it is of opinion that an action plan would be desirable and have a reasonable chance of success, formulate an action plan and order that the child concerned shall comply with it and be supervised by a probation and welfare officer while it is in operation, or

(b) resume the proceedings in respect of the offence with which the child is charged.

(3) Where the probation and welfare officer applies to the Court pursuant to section 81 (c) for an extension of the time for holding the family conference, or informs the Court pursuant to section 81 (d) that there is little likelihood of its being held, the Court may—

(a) where it is satisfied that there is a likelihood of the conference being held, grant an extension of time, not exceeding 28 days, for holding it, or

(b) where it is not so satisfied, resume the proceedings in respect of the offence with which the child is charged.

(4) Where the Court makes an order pursuant to subsection (1)(b) or (2)(a) in relation to an action plan, it shall appoint a date for the Court to review compliance by the child with the plan, being a date not more than 6 months from the date of the order.

(5) An action plan formulated pursuant to subsection (1)(b) or (2)(a) shall be written in language that can be understood by the child and be signed by the child (or, where appropriate, a person mentioned in section 78 (1)(c) on his or her behalf) and the supervising probation and welfare officer.