The Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 — Northern Ireland law | Esheria

The Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995

This provision starts the Order by defining key child-law terms and setting out core court and authority duties.

AI-assisted research synopsis — verify against the official legal text below.

Jurisdiction
Northern Ireland
Instrument
Order
Version
Undated source snapshot
Language
en
Official source
View official record ↗
child maintenance child protection child welfare childcare services children's services court jurisdiction court orders court powers fostering guardianship inheritance local authority duties parental responsibility police protection reporting duties residential care secure accommodation social services social services administration transitional provisions

Statute overview

About this statute

This provision starts the Order by defining key child-law terms and setting out core court and authority duties. Local authorities must provide and review child-care, accommodation, assessment-notification, and aftercare support duties, and may provide some additional services and recover some maintenance contributions. The Department, courts, and authorities have powers and duties about secure accommodation, care and supervision orders, reviews, contact, and emergency protection for children. The provision gives police, courts, and authorities powers and duties to protect children, including police protection, emergency orders, inquiries, and recovery orders, and creates offences for obstruction. Authorities must send required information to the Department, and the provision also sets rules for guardianship, child-protection reporting, and restrictions on publishing identifying material about children in proceedings.