Australian Capital Territory Numbered Acts

CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE ACT 1999 (NO. 63 OF 1999) - SECT 183

(1)     The parties to a voluntary care agreement may agree in writing to extend the period of the agreement if—

        (a)     the chief executive—

              (i)     has considered whether another form of assistance would be preferable; and

              (ii)     is satisfied that a voluntary sharing of parental responsibility is appropriate; and

              (iii)     if satisfied that the child or young person is capable of understanding that it is proposed that he or she will continue to be temporarily cared for under a voluntary care agreement—has sought and considered the views of the child or young person; and

        (b)     the period of the voluntary care agreement and the proposed extension together will not be longer than 6 months; and

        (c)     at the end of the proposed extension if the agreement is extended, the child or young person will not have been cared for under a voluntary care agreement for more than 6 months in the preceding 12 months; and

        (d)     in relation to a young person who is of or over school-leaving age, the young person—

              (i)     consents to the extension; or

              (ii)     is incapable of consenting.

(2)     A voluntary care agreement may be extended in accordance with subsection (1) more than once.