Where, in any family proceedings, the court has power to make an order under this Part with respect to any child, it may (whether or not it makes such an order) make an order requiring—
to advise, assist and (where appropriate) befriend any person named in the order.
The persons who may be named in an order under this section ("a family assistance order") are—
No court may make a family assistance order unless—
A family assistance order may direct—
to take such steps as may be so specified with a view to enabling the officer concerned to be kept informed of the address of any person named in the order and to be allowed to visit any such person.
If the court makes a family assistance order with respect to a child and the order is to be in force at the same time as a contact provision contained in a child arrangements order made with respect to the child, the family assistance order may direct the officer concerned to give advice and assistance as regards establishing, improving and maintaining contact to such of the persons named in the order as may be specified in the order.
In subsection (4A) " contact provision " means provision which regulates arrangements relating to—
Unless it specifies a shorter period, a family assistance order shall have effect for a period of twelve months beginning with the day on which it is made.
If the court makes a family assistance order with respect to a child and the order is to be in force at the same time as a section 8 order made with respect to the child, the family assistance order may direct the officer concerned to report to the court on such matters relating to the section 8 order as the court may require (including the question whether the section 8 order ought to be varied or discharged).
A family assistance order shall not be made so as to require a local authority to make an officer of theirs available unless—
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