A Child Welfare Decree which seeks to promote and protect the health and welfare of children through mandatory reporting, is now in place.

The main purpose of the decree is to ensure the mandatory reporting of cases of possible, likely or actual harm in relation to events discovered by a professional to be affecting the health and welfare of children.

It stated that where a professional becomes aware or reasonably suspects during the practice of his profession that a child has been or is being, or is likely to be harmed, the professional must immediately give notice of the harm to the Permanent Secretary for Women and Social Welfare.

Any person who fails to give a notice under the decree commits an offence and is liable to a fine not exceeding $5,000.

The Child Welfare Decree also deals with medical examinations and states that a child under a care and treatment order at any health facility may be medically examined with or without the consent of the child's parents, at the discretion of the designated officer.

The designated medical officer, if asked by a parent of the child must make available details of alternative doctors who may be chosen by the parent of the examination or treatment undertaken for the child.

It states that the decree is to be administered subject to the principle that at all times the welfare and best interests of the child are paramount.

Under the Child Welfare Decree, a child means a person below the age of 18 years.


Story by: Vijay Narayan