Cap. 602 Art. 5Functions of the Director (Child Protection). 

(1) Without prejudice to the functions as may be given to him by this Act, or by another law, the function of the Director (Child

Protection) is that of investigating any harm or risk thereof in ex officio relation to a minor, on which he holds a reasonable suspicion or on which he was informed, and of taking any action as may be deemed appropriate for the protection of the minor:

Provided that the Director (Child Protection) may intervene according to this article and this Act after having received a report from a professional that a pregnant woman has a dependency on an illicit drug or has another type of dependency which in the opinion of said professional causes serious prejudice to the health of that woman.

(2) In the exercise of his functions, the Director (Child Protection) shall:

(a) act in the best interests of the minor at risk, even if such minor is not a citizen of Malta;

(b) ascertain the views and wishes of the minor at risk;

(c) collaborate with all those involved in the protection of the minor at risk;

(d) investigate whether any action taken in relation to the minor at risk is appropriate;

(e) provide guidance to the parents and family of the minor at risk;

(f) from time to time issue guidelines as to what may be deemed as significant harm or a risk of significant harm;

(g) retain and update the Register for the protection of minors in terms of the Protection of Minors (Registration)

Act; and

(h) process requests for and issue Certificates of

Clean Conduct in relation to Abuse of Minors according to the information retained in the Register established in the

Protection of Minors (Registration) Act.