Protection Order
An emergency protection order is made when a child is in immediate danger and may have to be taken away from home quickly or kept in a safe place.
This might be because someone has called the police or Social Services because if they are worried that the child is being hurt or it could be because the child has told someone such as a teacher that they are being hurt.
This might be because someone has called the police or Social Services because if they are worried that the child is being hurt or it could be because the child has told someone such as a teacher that they are being hurt.
Anyone can apply to a magistrate and apply for an Emergency Protection Order, but the application will usually be made by Social Services.
Emergency protection orders may be granted on the application of:
- Any person, where there is reasonable chance a child will suffer significant harm if not removed to a safe place or kept in a safe place.
- Local authorities, where enquiries are being made as to whether a child is suffering or at risk or harm, and where these enquiries are being frustrated or access to the child is unreasonably refused.
- The NSPCC, where there is reasonable cause to suspect, a child will suffer significant harm or where enquiries into a child's welfare are being frustrated or access to the child is unreasonably refused.
- An emergency protection order may last for up to 8 days and may be extended for another 7 days. The child may be protected for a longer period if the local authority starts care proceedings.