Queensland Consolidated Acts

CHILD PROTECTION ACT 1999 - SECT 51W

51W Who may participate

(1) The chief executive must give the following persons a reasonable opportunity to participate in the review and preparation of the revised case plan—

(a) the child, unless it would be inappropriate because of the child’s age or ability to understand;

(b) the child’s parents;

(c) other members of the child’s family group who the chief executive considers are likely to make a useful contribution;

(d) other persons with whom the child has a significant relationship;

Example—

An approved carer may be someone with whom the child has a significant relationship.

(e) any legal representative of the child;

(f) if the child is an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander child—an independent Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander entity, or member of an independent Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander entity, for the child;

(g) the public guardian;

(h) a relevant prescribed entity or service provider;

(i) anyone else who the chief executive considers is likely to make a useful contribution to the review.

(2) To enable the participation, the chief executive may convene a family group meeting or have a private convenor convene a family group meeting.

(3) If a family group meeting or other meeting is convened for the purpose of the review and the child or a parent of the child attends, the convenor must allow the child or parent to have someone attend and participate in the meeting to give help or support to the child or parent.

(4) To remove any doubt, it is declared that a requirement to allow a person to attend or participate in a meeting under this section, or otherwise participate in the review, applies whether or not the child’s parents agree to the person’s attendance or participation.

(5) The convenor of a meeting under this section is not required to allow a particular person to attend or participate in the meeting, under subsection (1) (b) to (d) , (1) (f) or (3) , if the convenor is satisfied that person’s attendance or participation would be contrary to the purposes of the meeting or not in the child’s best interests.

(6) Also, the convenor of a meeting under this section is not required to allow an independent Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander entity for the child, or a member of the entity, to attend or participate in the meeting, under subsection (1) (f) , if—

(a) the entity’s or member’s attendance or participation is likely to have a significant adverse effect on the child’s or another person’s safety or psychological or emotional wellbeing; or

(b) section 5H applies in relation to the entity’s attendance or participation.