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A Care Order is issued when a child is suffering, or is at risk of suffering significant harm, because they are not getting enough care or their parent is unable to look after them (beyond parental control). 

Only a court can make a Care Order when an application is made by Social Services. The court may initially make an Interim (Temporary) Care Order.

A Care Order places the child in the care of the local Health and Social Care Trust who then also have Parental Responsibility for the child. When a care order is made, the local Trust must look after the child and provide them with accommodation and care.

A Care Order will last until a child turns 18. However, you can go to the court to ask for the judge to stop the order. Taking a child into care should normally be a temporary measure and should be stopped as soon as it is possible to do so.

A Care Order will last until the child turns 18, but can be ended earlier by the court.