Whenever a child is committed by the court to custody other than that of the child’s parents or is given medical, psychological, or psychiatric treatment under order of the court, the solicitor of the county where the child is a resident may petition the court to order the parent or parents of the child to pay child support when the child is committed to or detained in the custody of an approved local detention facility or the Department of Juvenile Justice. If the parents of the child are living apart, the court shall pursue child support payments from both parents. The court, after giving the parent a reasonable opportunity to be heard, may order the parent to pay, in the manner the court directs, in accordance with child support guidelines promulgated by the Department of Social Services to cover in whole or in part the support and treatment of the child. In making its determination whether to order child support, the court shall consider the conduct of the parent in supervising and providing care for the child. If the parent wilfully fails or refuses to pay the amount ordered, the court may proceed against the parent for contempt.