Every local authority has a duty to make sure that children (and young people) are helped to grow and develop in safe, secure and supportive surroundings. Each local authority must provide a wide range of services to help this to happen – this includes direct services such as housing, education and social services, as well as services which are arranged with others, such as health.
In Leeds we understand that the best way to make sure that children are well cared for is to work with parents and families, and to provide services when they are needed, and which are useful and acceptable. We want to have a partnership with parents so they can care for their children.
There are occasions, however, when we become so concerned about the health, welfare or safety of some children that we need to become legally involved. We might apply to a court to begin the process of care proceedings which would grant us the power to take decisions in the best interests of the child.
This might be because someone has called the police if they are worried that a child is being hurt or because someone like a teacher has become aware that a child may be being hurt. On occasions we may apply for an interim Care Order or, in an emergency, an Emergency Protection Order to protect children.
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 'Care Proceedings' booklet (which may follow a protection order) can be downloaded from this page. If you need further help you can contact us or speak to the Citizens Advice Bureau. If you need legal help and advice in this area, the booklet includes a list of law firms in Leeds with solicitors who are members of the children's panel.