Section 18 — Children, Young Persons, and Their Families Act 1989: Referral of care or protection cases to Care and Protection Co-ordinator or Youth Justice Co-ordinator by Social Workers or members of the Police

18 Referral of care or protection cases to Care and Protection Co-ordinator or Youth Justice Co-ordinator by Social Workers or members of the Police (1) Where any Social Worker or member of the Police believes, after inquiry, that any child or young person is in need of care or protection (other than on the ground specified in section 14(1)(e) of this Act), that Social Worker or member of the Police shall forthwith report the matter to a Care and Protection Co-ordinator, who shall convene a family group conference in accordance with section 20 of this Act. (2) Where any Social Worker suspects that any child is in need of care or protection on the ground specified in section 14(1)(e) of this Act, that Social Worker may refer the matter to the appropriate enforcement agency. (3) Where any enforcement officer believes, after inquiry, that any child is in need of care or protection on the ground specified in section 14(1)(e) of this Act, that enforcement officer shall forthwith report the matter to a Youth Justice Co-ordinator, who after consulting with that enforcement officer, and if that enforcement officer believes that the making of an application for a declaration under section 67 of this Act in respect of that child is required in the public interest, shall convene a family group conference in accordance with section 247 of this Act.