What's Wrong with Nova Scotia's Children and Family Service Act:Comments & Recommendations: 11/23 Duration of All Disposition Orders- Section 45 (1) (3)

What's Wrong with Nova Scotia's Children and Family Service Act:Comments & Recommendations

This document is written by Linda Youngson BA, BEd, MEd.For many years, she has been researching NS's Children's Aid Societies/Family and Children's Services Agencies/Dept of Community Services. Working with fellow advocates, she has also been busy speaking with families,lawyers, politicians, media, etc, as well as participating as a support person and/or a court observer.She has seen first hand how our family courts are working and was both shocked and disappointed by what she learned.

April 23, 2007

11/23 Duration of All Disposition Orders- Section 45 (1) (3)

Duration of All Disposition Orders - Section 45 (1) (3):
Where the court has made an order for temporary care and custody, the total period of duration of all disposition orders, including any supervision orders shall not exceed:
45 (1) (a) - Under 6 years of age at time of application - 12 months
45 (1) (b) - 6 to under 12 years of age at time of application - 18 months
45 (3) - When child becomes 12 - Time limits no longer apply!!!

Comments:

The time limits for children under 12 years of age may look good BUT when you calculate the total time that may have passed before a disposition order has been made, the total time of a child in care and/or under the control of Children’s Aid Societies/Family and Children Services Agencies/ Department of Community Services can be a whole lot longer.