3.2 Where there is a risk to the life of a child or a likelihood of serious immediate harm, an agency with statutory child protection powers should act quickly to secure the immediate safety of the child. Emergency action might be necessary as soon as a referral is received, or at any point in involvement with children and families. When considering whether emergency action is necessary, an agency should always consider whether action is also required to safeguard other children in the same household (eg. siblings), the household of an alleged perpetrator or elsewhere.

3.3 Where a single agency has to act immediately to protect a child, a Strategy Discussion should take place as soon as possible after such action to plan the next steps. Planned emergency action will normally take place following an immediate strategy discussion between Police and Social Services Managers and other agencies.

3.4 The need for emergency action may become apparent only over time as more is learned about the circumstances of a child or children.

3.5 In these cases, it may be sufficient to secure a child’s safety by a parent taking action. In other cases, it may be necessary to ensure either that the child remains in a safe place eg. a hospital, or that the child is removed to a safe place, either on a voluntary basis or by obtaining an Emergency Protection Order.

3.6 Emergency situations requiring an urgent response may include:

• Child is making direct allegations and asking for immediate help
• Child needs urgent medical assistance or examination
• There has been recent sexual abuse and evidence may be lost
• The perpetrator is likely to interfere
• The child is at risk of running away or self harming

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