An emergency protection order (EPO) is a court order that provides immediate protection for a child who is considered to be at risk of harm. An EPO can be granted if the court believes that a child needs to be removed from their home or placed in the care of a local authority on a temporary basis. An EPO can be a vital tool in protecting children in emergency situations.

An Emergency Protection Order (EPO) can be requested by Children's Services from the Court if they believe a child faces imminent or ongoing danger of physical, mental or emotional harm. They usually last for a maximum of eight days.

In some situations, the Police or the NSPCC may also apply, depending on the circumstances. An EPO will be put in place by the local authority for a short term period if they believe it will safeguard the child. If an EPO is granted by the Court, Children's Services then have some degree of Parental Responsibility for the child, such as:

• The right to remove the child from the parent(s) and take the child into their care

• The right to prevent the child from returning to the care of the parent(s)

• The right to see the child, even if the parent(s) refuses to cooperate

• The right to make an Exclusion Requirement - i.e. preventing the person whom they believe to be a significant risk to the child from living in the same household or seeing them.

An Emergency Protection Order (EPO) can be made by a court if there is reasonable cause to believe that a child is at risk of significant harm and immediate protection is required. The order can be made without notice to the parents or guardians and can last for up to eight days. The purpose of an EPO is to provide temporary protection for the child while further assessments and investigations are carried out.

An Emergency Protection Order can be applied for by anyone, however the majority of applications come from either the local authority, the Police or the NSPCC. In order for the EPO to be justified, the Court needs to be satisfied that there is reasonable cause to believe the child is at risk of immediate harm. As a result, the child will either be placed into accommodation provided by Children's Services, or will remain where he/she currently is, if it is understood to be safe (i.e. hospital).

Only the local authority or the police have the power to remove a child from their parent's care if they believe the child is at risk of harm or neglect. This can be done through a court order or an emergency protection order. Parents can also voluntarily place their child in the care of the local authority.

If an Emergency Protection Order is granted by the Court, they may give the local authority permission to enter a residence to search for the child. The Court is also able to issue a Police warrant to enable them to support Children's Services if the parent(s) refuses entry or access to the child. Although this may seem severe and can be traumatic for the family, an EPO is only granted with the child's best interests at heart. If a child is thought to be at risk, in imminent danger or their life is under threat, they will be removed from the parent(s).

It is a criminal offence to prevent someone from removing a child if an EPO has been granted. Furthermore, Children's Services are able to ask the Court for an Order allowing them to search the location for an additional child (or children) if they believe there is more than one child there. If the additional child (or children) is found in the same location, Children's Services have the right to remove them immediately if the conditions for making an EPO are accurate.

An Emergency Protection Order lasts for eight days, however it can be extended in some circumstances in order to maintain the child's safety.

You have the right to apply to discharge the Emergency Protection Order within 72 hours of it being granted by the Court. However, this will only be valid if you were not present at the hearing, or if you were not given notice of the hearing. Prior to the hearing, if it was believed by Children's Services that the child was at risk or in immediate danger, they have the right to apply for an EPO without giving notice to the parent(s).

If Children's Services has become involved with your family, you can speak in confidence to our team of understanding and compassionate solicitors who will be able to offer legal advice or even represent you in Court.