The Court can only make an Order, at the end of the proceedings, if it considers
that the "Threshold Criteria" have been met. The legal definition is difficult,
but essentially the Court can only make a Final Order about the children if it
is satisfied that they were at risk of significant harm at the outset of the
proceedings, and that the Court needs to exercise its powers to make an Order
about them. Such an Order may be:
- To make no Order at all - if, for example, the problems have been solved
during the proceedings.
- A Care Order - which gives authority to Social Services to make decisions
about the children, and may involve adoption, long-term foster care, or a
planned return of the children to their parents after a set period.
- A Supervision Order - which returns the children to their parents, but with
help and support from Social Services for a one year period, which an be
extended.
- A Residence Order - giving responsibility and Guardianship of the children
to a third party, such as a Grandparent or other relative.
- A Child Assessment Order or other specific Orders about the children.