Only a court can make a care order, on the application of a local authority (or the NSPCC). Under section 31(2) the court must be satisfied that the child is suffering, or likely to suffer, significant harm, and that the harm is because of the care given to the child not being what a parent could reasonably be expected to give, or because the child is beyond parental control. This is often called the threshold criteria.
An interim care order can be made while proceedings are adjourned, if there are reasonable grounds to believe the threshold is met (section 38). A supervision order puts the child under the supervision of the local authority without moving parental responsibility.
Under a care order the local authority shares parental responsibility with the parents and can limit how they use it. The child is a looked-after child, even if they are placed at home with their parents. Before applying, councils usually follow the pre-proceedings process.
For schools, KCSIE 2026 paragraph 236 says appropriate staff should know whether a looked-after child is on an interim or full care order or voluntarily accommodated, and their contact arrangements. Schools are often asked for information or a statement during care proceedings.