Section 150 of The Children Act CAP 141: Power of Court in respect of children in need of care and protection
(1) A Court before which any child in need of care and protection is brought may require an authorised officer or any other person to give a report or professional advice on any aspect of the proceedings relating to the manner in which the child should be dealt with.
(2) If a Court is satisfied that a child brought before it is in need of care and protection, the Court may—
(a) order that the child be returned to his or her parent or guardian, or to the person having parental responsibility over the child;
(b) order the parent or guardian of the child, or other person having parental responsibility over the child, to execute a bond with or without surety to exercise proper care and guardianship;
(c) if the Court is satisfied that it is in the best interests of the child, commit such child to a rehabilitation school suitable to the needs and interests of the child;
(d) without making any other order, or in addition to making an order under this section, make an order for guardianship under Part X;
(e) if the child is a victim of armed conflict, civil disturbance or natural disaster, make an order requiring the Secretary to take such steps as may be necessary to ensure that the child is provided with appropriate care and protection;
(f) in any other case, make an order directing that the child be reunited with his or her parent or guardian;
(g) if the child has a disability or other special needs, make an order directing that the Secretary takes such steps as are necessary to meet the special needs of the child;
(h) if the child is subjected to early marriage, make an order declaring that such marriage is a nullity and requiring the child to be placed under the care of a fit person, or that the child be accommodated in a place of safety;
(i) where it is shown to the satisfaction of the Court that the child has been engaged in drug abuse, make an order directing that the child be committed to a drug rehabilitation center for treatment, or that the child be accorded professional counselling; (j) in any case where—
(i) a child has accompanied the mother who is imprisoned or detained in lawful custody or remand;
(ii) a child or children have been left unattended in consequence of their mothers’ or fathers’ imprisonment or detention in lawful custody; or
(iii) the child or children accompanying the mother to prison or other place of detention have attained the age of four years,
make an order directing that the child or children be placed under the care of a fit person, or that the child or children be accommodated in a place of safety; or
(k) make any other order which the Court may think fit, and in the best interest of the child.
(3) In considering the person with whom the child shall be placed, the court shall give priority to a member of the child’s immediate family.
(4) A parent or guardian who is ordered to exercise proper care and guardianship of a child under subsection (2)(b) shall, in addition to that order, be required to seek the assistance of a professional counsellor.
(5) The order referred to in subsection (3) shall include a family assistance order made in accordance with section 135(1) (e).
(6) The Court may make interim orders on such terms as the Court may direct, including an order that the child be accommodated in a place of safety, pending final orders for the care and protection of a child.
(7) An interim order under subsection (6) shall not remain in force for a period exceeding fourteen days:
Provided that the Court shall have power to extend such orders from time to time and on such terms as the Court may direct.
(8) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (5), the Court may order that a child shall remain in the custody of a county government entity, an appointed authorised officer, a charitable children’s institution, a place of safety or a fit person, until the age of eighteen years, or such lesser age as the Court may direct.
(9) The Court may from time to time, either of its own motion or on the application of any person, review, vary or revoke any order made under this section.
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