The Childrens Act of 1989 does not apply in Northern Ireland; instead, the Children and Young Persons Act of 1968 is used. This act stipulates that child welfare should be the court's main consideration in both criminal and child care cases. The responsibility for providing services appropriate to a child's needs rests with Northern Ireland's health and social services boards. These boards have a specific statutory duty to investigate situations where it is believed that a child is at risk and that grounds may exist for bringing care proceedings. The boards also investigate cases referred by the police. Where supportive or preventive action has failed or is deemed insufficient to protect a child at risk, and parents are not willing to place the child in voluntary care, a decision must be made as to whether to bring the child before a juvenile court as being in need of care, protection, or control. Provisions of the Children and Young Persons Act related to social workers, place of safety orders, parental rights, and what constitutes an urgent or emergency situation are examined.