emergency protection order

Last reviewed 01/2018

Emergency protection orders are granted for:

  • individual applicants, where the child will suffer significant harm if not removed
  • local authorities, where enquiries are being made for other orders, and where these enquiries are being frustrated or unreasonably refused.
  • authorised persons, where there is reasonable cause to suspect, or likelihood of, significant harm

The order removes the child to accomodation provided by the applicant, or prevents removal of the child from other environments, for example hospital.

The emergency protection order lasts for 8 days and any person can apply to a court for an order.

Parental access is not precluded.

The emergency protection order replaces the place of safety order.