care orders

Last reviewed 01/2018

A care order places the child into the care of the local authority. It can be made if the child is coming to harm, or is likely to come to harm, and that the harm is a result of inadequacies of care.

Under these circumstances the local authority gains parental responsibility with others with the parental responsibility.

A care order can be dischared by:

  • adoption or a freeing order
  • a residence order
  • a supervision order
  • successful application by the child, the local authority or any other person with parental responsibility