(1)A local authority may apply to the sheriff for a child assessment order in respect of a child.
(2)A child assessment order is an order authorising an officer of a local authority or a person authorised by that officer to carry out (subject to section 186) an assessment of—
(a)the child's health or development, or
(b)the way in which the child has been or is being treated or neglected.
(3)An order may—
(a)require any person in a position to do so to produce the child to the officer,
(b)for the purpose of carrying out the assessment, authorise the taking of the child to any place and the keeping of the child at that place or any other place for a period specified in the order,
(c)where it contains an authorisation of the type mentioned in paragraph (b), include directions about contact between the child and any other person.
(4)A child assessment order must specify the period during which it has effect.
(5)That period must—
(a)begin no later than 24 hours after the order is granted, and
(b)not exceed 3 days.
Commencement Information
I1S. 35 in force at 24.6.2013 by S.S.I. 2013/195, arts. 2, 3