FAQs

The local authority needs a court order (or your consent) to remove a child. Care proceedings engage key rights and are complex, parents in these proceedings are automatically eligible for legal aid and benefit from specialist representation.

Agencies meet to share information and assess whether a child is suffering, or likely to suffer, significant harm. A plan is agreed for support and next steps.

You can ask the court for post-adoption contact, but you will first need the court’s permission. Such orders are uncommon and depend on the child’s welfare and risk of disruption.

There is a statutory aim to conclude within 26 weeks, extendable in exceptional cases if needed for a fair outcome. 

It requires the local authority to ‘advise, assist and befriend the child’, offering support and oversight. It does not grant parental responsibility or allow removal of the child without consent, or a court order.

A care order places the child in the local authority’s care until they reach 18 (or until revoked) and gives the local authority parental responsibility to make key decisions, while consulting parents. It is made only if legal thresholds of significant harm are met and the order is proportionate.

A temporary order during proceedings that gives the local authority parental responsibility and decision-making power until the final hearing, subject to legal limits and consultation with parents.

An Emergency Protection Order (EPO) allows short-term removal of the child where there are reasonable grounds of immediate risk of significant harm. It lasts up to  eight days, extendable once by up to seven days.