Queensland Consolidated Acts

CHILD PROTECTION ACT 1999 - SECT 21

21 Moving child to safe place

(1) This section applies if—

(a) an authorised officer or police officer reasonably believes a child who is under 12 years is at risk of harm but does not consider it necessary to take the child into the chief executive’s custody to ensure the child’s protection; and

(b) a parent or other member of the child’s family is not present at the place where the child is, and, after reasonable inquiries, the officer can not contact a parent or other member of the child’s family.

(2) The officer may, with the help that is reasonable in the circumstances, move the child to a safe place and make arrangements for the child’s care at the place.

(3) As soon as practicable after moving the child, the officer must—

(a) take reasonable steps to tell at least 1 of the child’s parents or a family member of the child’s whereabouts; and

(b) if the officer is a police officer—tell the chief executive the child has been moved to a safe place and where the child has been moved.

(4) The child may be cared for at the place under the arrangements until the child’s parents or family members resume or assume the child’s care.

(5) The moving of the child does not—

(a) prevent the child’s parents or family members resuming or assuming care of the child; or

(b) affect existing parental rights for the child.