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children as the parents often cannot be traced in order to investigate their
circumstances (Mbanjwa 1990 : 6). Socialworkers therefore have to "presume" that the
parents are unable or unfit to care for their child.
(3) Orders which can be made at the Inquiry
Upon holding of a Children's Court Inquiry the Child Care Act makes provision for
either of the following orders to be made :
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*
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that the child be returned to his parents under the supervision of the
social worker and on a condition that the child or his parent comply
with certain requirements ;
that the child be placed in the custody of foster parents under
supervision of a social worker;
that the child be sent to a children's home designated by the
Director-General; and
that the child be sent to a school of industries designated by the
Director-General (Section 15(1)).
(4) Residential care provided in terms of the Child Care Act No. 74 of 1983 as
amended
(a) Place of Safety
As has been stated under the definitions, this is a place that provides temporal care
ofthe children whilst the social workers are carrying out investigations in terms of the
Child Care Act. The Child Care Act permits detention of the child for up to 14 days
after which a social worker is expected to report at the Children's Court with her
recommendations regarding the future placement of the child (Mbanjwa 1990 :7).