Child Arrangements Orders

Our experienced Family Law solicitors can help you resolve child arrangement disputes and provide clear, compassionate advice focused on your child’s best interests.

Child Arrangements Orders Solicitors

When parents separate, deciding where a child will live and how much time they will spend with each parent is often one of the most emotional and challenging parts of the process. While many families are able to reach an agreement between themselves, this is not always possible. In these situations, a Child Arrangements Order can provide clarity, stability and a legally binding framework that puts the child’s best interests first.

Our experienced family law solicitors provide practical, compassionate advice to help parents resolve disputes and make arrangements that support their child’s wellbeing.

While legal aid is not available for most private child arrangements disputes, it may be available in certain circumstances, such as where there is evidence of domestic abuse or where local authority proceedings are involved. We can advise you whether you may be eligible.

What is a Child Arrangements Order?

A Child Arrangements Order is a court order that sets out:

Who a child will live with
How much time they will spend with the other parent or family members
When and how contact will take place

These orders are made under the Children Act 1989 and are designed to provide certainty where parents or carers cannot agree on arrangements for their child.

When is a Child Arrangements Order needed?

A Child Arrangements Order may be appropriate if parents cannot agree on important issues following separation or divorce, including:

Where a child should live
How often they should see the other parent
Arrangements during school holidays and special occasions
Contact with grandparents or other family members

Before applying to the court, most people are expected to attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM) to see if an agreement can be reached without legal proceedings, unless an exemption applies.

How Does the Court Decide?

The court’s primary consideration is always the best interests of the child. It will consider a range of factors, including:

The child’s wishes and feelings, depending on their age and understanding
Their physical, emotional and educational needs
The likely impact of any changes to their living arrangements
Each parent’s ability to meet the child’s needs
Any concerns about a child’s safety or welfare

The court encourages children to have a meaningful relationship with both parents wherever it is safe and appropriate to do so.

Speak to our Expert Family Law Solicitors

Whether you are trying to agree arrangements amicably or need representation in court, our child law solicitors are here to support you. We will explain your legal options, help you understand the court process and work to achieve the best possible outcome for you and your child.

If you need advice about a Child Arrangements Order or any other issue relating to child arrangements after separation, contact our Family Law team today for clear, practical guidance tailored to your circumstances.

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Read our Child Law FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions about Child Law

How easy this is to do and how to do it will depend on who has parental responsibility and whether all parties agree to the change. If all parties with parental responsibility have provided written agreement to the change this can be done easily via a Change of Name Deed. If one parent refuses, a Specific Issue Order will need to be obtained from the Court.

If your ex has parental responsibility, you cannot generally stop them from seeing your child without a Court Order in place. An exception to this would be if there are serious concerns about the child’s welfare or safety in which case, you should seek legal advice. If they don’t have parental responsibility, they do not have an automatic right to have contact with your child and would need to get a Court Order to do so if you don’t agree.

A Prohibited Steps Order is a court order which prevents a parent or guardian from taking specific actions regarding a child without the court’s permission. Examples include taking a child abroad and removing a child from school.

A Child Arrangements Order sets out where a child will live, who they will spend time with, and how contact will take place after parents separate or divorce. You might need a Child Arrangements Order if there is a disagreement between parents about where a child will live or when, where and how often contact can take place.

A Child Protection Plan is a plan put in place by the Local Authority to set out the action which is needed to reduce your child/children suffering harm. Under this plan a social worker is allocated to you and your family and regular meetings will take place (at least every 4 weeks) to review the plan and the progress which has been made.

This is a package of support which is put in place to provide extra support for your child/children and your family to address any areas of need and risk assessed by a Social Worker.

This is for families who might need a little extra support and is a group of people (including professionals, e.g; health visitors / social workers / teachers etc) who will work together to support you and your child/children to prevent any concerns increasing.