Section 193: Duties of Voluntary Organisations

(1) Where a child is accommodated by or on behalf of a voluntary organisation, the voluntary organisation shall-
(a) safeguard and promote the welfare of the child;
(b) make such use of the services and facilities available for children cared for by their own parents as appears to the voluntary
organisation reasonable in the case of the child; and
(c) advise, assist and befriend the child with a view to promoting the welfare of the child when the child ceases to be so accommodated.
(2) Before making any decision with respect to a child under subsection (1) of this section, the voluntary organisation shall, so far as is reasonably practicable, ascertain the wishes and feelings of-
(a) the child
(b) the parents of the child;
(c) a person who, though not a parent of a child has parental responsibility for the child; and
(d) any other person whose wishes and feelings the voluntary organisation considers to be relevant, regarding the matter to be decided.
(3) A voluntary organisation shall, in making a decision under this section, give due consideration to-
(a) such wishes and feelings of the child as it has been able to ascertain, having regard to the age and understanding of the child;
(b) such other wishes and feelings mentioned in subsection (2) of this section as it has been able to ascertain; and
(c) the religious persuasion, ethic or racial origin, cultural and linguistic background of the child.