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 a child/ren and their family (see Appendix 1, paragraph 18 for the range of emergency protection powers available). The need for emergency action may become apparent only over time as more is learned about the circumstances of a child or children. Neglect, as well as abuse, can result in a child suffering significant harm to the extent that urgent protective action is necessary. When considering whether emergency action is required, an agency should always consider whether action is also required to safeguard and promote the welfare of other children in the same household, the household of an alleged perpetrator or elsewhere.
