The Adoption (Northern Ireland) Order 1987

Removal of protected children from unsuitable surroundings

35.—(1) If a juvenile court is satisfied, on the complaint of a Board under Part VIII of the Magistrates' Courts (Northern Ireland) Order 1981(1), that a protected child is being kept or is about to be received by any person who is unfit to have his care or in any premises or any environment detrimental or likely to be detrimental to him, the court may make an order for his removal to a place of safety until he can be restored to a parent, relative or guardian of his, or until other arrangements can be made with respect to him; and on proof that there is imminent danger to the health or well-being of the child the power to make an order under this Article may be exercised by a justice of the peace acting on the complaint of an officer authorised to visit protected children.

(2) An order under this Article may be executed by any officer authorised to visit protected children or by any constable and, notwithstanding anything in section 7 of the Sunday Observance Act (Ireland) 1965(2), may be executed on a Sunday.

(3) The Department may receive into its care under section 103 of the Children and Young Persons Act (Northern Ireland) 1968(3) any child removed under this Article, whether or not the circumstances of the child are such that they fall within paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (1) of that section and notwithstanding that he may appear to the Department to be over the age of 17 years.

(4) Where a child is removed under this Article the Board shall, if practicable, inform a parent or guardian of the child, or any person who acts as his guardian.