Planned emergency action will normally take place following an immediate strategy discussion between the police, local authority children’s social care and other agencies as appropriate (including NSPCC where involved). 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 next steps. Legal advice should normally be obtained before initiating legal action, in particular, when an Emergency Protection Order (EPO) is to be sought. For further guidance on EPOs see pages 55-65 of Volume 1 of the Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations, Court Orders.
