Parental Responsibility

S2 - 4 Children Act 1989

Mother

Biological Father if married to mother

Father if registered on Birth Cert after 1/12/03

Parental Responsibility Order (S4)

Residence Order (s8)

Special Guardianship (S14A)

Adoption/Placement

Local Authority:Care Order/Interim (S31)

Emergency Protection Order (EPO)

S44-45 Children Act 1989

Short term protection

Allows removal of child to place of safety or allows for child to be kept in place of safety, eg hospital or foster care.

Lasts for 8 days, can be extended for further 7 days.

Can be given without notice in exceptional circumstances

Police Powers of Protection

S46 Children Act 1989

Allows police, if authorised by an officer of at least Inspector rank to remove a child from harm, this includes, for example preventing a child being removed from hospital.

Lasts for 72 hours.

Child In Need

S17 Children Act 1989

S17(10)  a) he is unlikely to achieve or maintain, or to have the opportunity of achieving or maintaining, a reasonable standard of health or development without the provision for him of services by a local authority under this Part;

b) his health or development is likely to be significantly impaired, or further impaired, without the provision for him of such services; or

c) he is disabled                                                          

Principles Underpinning the Children Act 1989

S 1

No Order

Least Intervention

No delay

Welfare Checklist

S1 (3) Children Act 1989

a) the ascertainable wishes and feelings of the child concerned (considered in the light of his age and understanding);

b) his physical, emotional and educational needs;

c) the likely effect on him of any change in his circumstances;

d) his age, sex, background and any characteristics of his which the court considers relevant;

e) any harm which he has suffered or is at risk of suffering;

f) how capable each of his parents, and any other person in relation to whom the court considers the question to be relevant, is of meeting his needs;

g) the range of powers available to the court under this Act in the proceedings in question.