(1)At the dispositional hearing, the court shall determine whether it is in the best interests of the minor and the public that the minor be made a ward of the court, and, if the minor is to be made a ward of the court, the court shall determine the proper disposition best serving the health, safety and interests of the minor and the public. The court also shall consider the Department's diligent efforts in family finding and relative engagement for the minor required under Section 2-27.3 beginning July 1, 2025, the permanency goal set for the minor, the nature of the service plan for the minor and the services delivered and to be delivered under the plan. All evidence helpful in determining these questions, including oral and written reports, may be admitted and may be relied upon to the
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(1) At the dispositional hearing, the court shall determine whether it is in the best interests of the minor and the public that the minor be made a ward of the court, and, if the minor is to be made a ward of the court, the court shall determine the proper disposition best serving the health, safety and interests of the minor and the public. The court also shall consider the Department's diligent efforts in family finding and relative engagement for the minor required under Section 2-27.3 beginning July 1, 2025, the permanency goal set for the minor, the nature of the service plan for the minor and the services delivered and to be delivered under the plan. All evidence helpful in determining these questions, including oral and written reports, may be admitted and may be relied upon to the extent of its probative value, even though not competent for the purposes of the adjudicatory hearing. (2) Once all parties respondent have been served in compliance with Sections 2-15 and 2-16, no further service or notice must be given to a party prior to proceeding to a dispositional hearing. Before making an order of disposition the court shall advise the State's Attorney, the parents, guardian, custodian or responsible relative or their counsel of the factual contents and the conclusions of the reports prepared for the use of the court and considered by it, and afford fair opportunity, if requested, to controvert them. The court may order, however, that the documents containing such reports need not be submitted to inspection, or that sources of confidential information need not be disclosed except to the attorneys for the parties. Factual contents, conclusions, documents and sources disclosed by the court under this paragraph shall not be further disclosed without the express approval of the court pursuant to an in camera hearing. (3) A record of a prior continuance under supervision under Section 2-20, whether successfully completed with regard to the child's health, safety and best interest, or not, is admissible at the dispositional hearing. (4) On its own motion or that of the State's Attorney, a parent, guardian, custodian, responsible relative or counsel, the court may adjourn the hearing for a reasonable period to receive reports or other evidence, if the adjournment is consistent with the health, safety and best interests of the minor, but in no event shall continuances be granted so that the dispositional hearing occurs more than 6 months after the initial removal of a minor from the minor's home. In scheduling investigations and hearings, the court shall give priority to proceedings in which a minor has been removed from the minor's home before an order of disposition has been made. (5) Unless already set by the court, at the conclusion of the dispositional hearing, the court shall set the date for the first permanency hearing, to be conducted under subsections (2), (2.3), and (2.4) of Section 2-28, which shall be held: (a) within 12 months from the date temporary custody was taken, (b) if the parental rights of both parents have been terminated in accordance with the procedure described in subsection (5) of Section 2-21, within 30 days of the termination of parental rights and appointment of a guardian with power to consent to adoption, or (c) in accordance with subsection (2) of Section 2-13.1. (6) When the court declares a child to be a ward of the court and awards guardianship to the Department of Children and Family Services: (a) the court shall admonish the parents, guardian, custodian or responsible relative that the parents must cooperate with the Department of Children and Family Services, comply with the terms of the service plans, and correct the conditions which require the child to be in care, or risk termination of their parental rights; and (b) the court shall inquire of the parties of any intent to proceed with termination of parental rights of a parent: (A) whose identity still remains unknown; (B) whose whereabouts remain unknown; or (C) who was found in default at the adjudicatory hearing and has not obtained an order setting aside the default in accordance with Section 2-1301 of the Code of Civil Procedure.