Local authority children’s social care should make all reasonable efforts to persuade parents to co-operate with section 47 enquiries. If, despite these efforts, the parents continue to refuse access to a child for the purpose of establishing basic facts about the child’s condition – but concerns about the child’s safety are not so urgent as to require an EPO – a local authority may apply to the court for a child assessment order. In these circumstances, the court may direct the parents/caregivers to cooperate with an assessment of the child, the details of which should be specified. The order does not take away the child’s own right to refuse to participate in an assessment, for example, a medical examination, so long as he or she is of sufficient age and understanding. For further guidance on child assessment orders see pages 52–55 of Volume 1 of the Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations, Court Orders.
