NCJ Number
59993
Date Published
1979
Length
31 pages
Annotation
THIS REPORT CONTAINS TENTATIVE PROPOSALS BY THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION OF AUSTRALIA ON THE REFORM OF CHILD WELFARE LAWS AND PROCEDURES IN THE AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY.
Abstract
THE PAPER IS INTENDED TO PROMOTE DISCUSSION AND ELICIT COMMENTS WHICH WILL BE CONSIDERED BY THE COMMISSION IN REACHING ITS CONCLUSIONS AND DRAFTING ITS FINAL REPORT. THE COMMISSION DECIDED THAT THE FINAL REPORT WOULD CONCENTRATE ON THE TERRITORY'S SYSTEM FOR DEALING WITH YOUNG OFFENDERS, AS WELL AS WITH NEGLECTED AND UNCONTROLLABLE CHILDREN, RATHER THAN WITH THE GENERAL WELFARE NEEDS OF ALL CHILDREN IN THE TERRITORY. AS REGARDS NEGLECTED AND UNCONTROLLABLE CHILDREN, KEY ISSUES ARE WHEN TO INTERVENE TO PROTECT THESE CHILDREN AND WHAT TYPE OF TRIBUNAL SHOULD DEAL WITH THEM. SUPPORTING SERVICES ARE ALSO DISCUSSED WITH EMPHASIS ON THE TYPES OF SERVICES THAT ARE LACKING, FRAGMENTATION OF SERVICES, USE OF NONGOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES, AND POSSIBLE DEFICIENCIES IN WELFARE AND PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES AVAILABLE. (MJW)