Child assessment order

A local authority or an authorised person may apply for a child assessment order where:

• where significant harm is suspected but the child is not thought to be at immediate risk.
• it is unlikely that such an assessment will be made, or be satisfactory, in the absence of a child assessment order

The order last for a maximum of seven days from the date specified in the order and directs a parent to allow assessment of a child. The assessment may occur outside the parental home.

Note that a mature child has the right to refuse assessment.