What is the primary purpose of a care order issued by family courts?

A care order issued by family courts primarily serves the purpose of allowing children to be taken into local authority care when it is determined that they are at risk of harm or are not receiving proper care at home. This legal decision is made to protect children from situations that may be detrimental to their welfare, ensuring that their safety and wellbeing are prioritized.

When a care order is in place, the local authority gains parental responsibility for the child, meaning they are responsible for decisions regarding the child's upbringing, health, education, and welfare while the child is in care. This order is a crucial mechanism for safeguarding vulnerable children and often comes after thorough assessments and investigations into the child’s living conditions.

The other options do not accurately represent the primary goal of a care order. For instance, while adoption can be a subsequent step for some children in care, the primary focus of a care order is not to provide adoption options but rather to address immediate safety concerns. Additionally, a care order does not inherently ensure that parents or guardians maintain access to their children, nor does it outright prohibit parental rights; it may limit them depending on the circumstances and specific terms of the order.