An emergency protection order is made when someone is in immediate danger and may have to be taken away from home quickly.
Social Services or anyone like the police or a neighbour can go to a magistrate and apply for an Emergency Protection Order.
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 emergency protection order lasts for 8 days and any person can apply to a court for an order.
Parental access may still be allowed.
The emergency protection order replaces the place of safety order.