Parenting Plans

Bring clarity to co-parenting after separation with a practical parenting plan that puts your children’s wellbeing first.

Parenting Plans Solicitors

Following a separation, one of the biggest challenges for parents is establishing new routines that work for everyone, especially their children. A parenting plan provides a practical framework for co-parenting, helping parents agree how important decisions will be made and how day-to-day arrangements will operate.

Although a parenting plan is not legally binding, it can reduce uncertainty, minimise conflict and provide children with consistency as they adjust to new family circumstances. Our Family Law team can help parents create clear, workable parenting plans that support positive co-parenting and place the needs of their children first.

What Is a Parenting Plan?

A parenting plan is a written agreement between parents that sets out how they will share responsibility for their children following a separation. It can cover both practical arrangements and longer-term decisions, providing a useful reference point as family life evolves.

A parenting plan can include matters such as:

Where the child will live
When the child will spend time with each parent
School holidays, birthdays and special occasions
How parents will communicate with each other
Decisions about education, healthcare and religion
Introducing new partners
Reviewing arrangements as children grow older

Because every family is different, a parenting plan should be tailored to reflect your individual circumstances and your child’s needs.

Is a Parenting Plan Legally Binding?

Unlike a Child Arrangements Order, a parenting plan is not legally enforceable. Instead, it is intended to encourage cooperation and provide clarity for both parents.

Many separated parents find that having agreed expectations in writing helps prevent misunderstandings and makes it easier to resolve disagreements before they escalate.

Where parents are unable to agree arrangements, legal advice may be needed to explore other options.

When Should You Create a Parenting Plan?

It is often beneficial to prepare a parenting plan as soon as possible after separation, once initial arrangements have been discussed.

A parenting plan can also be reviewed and updated over time as children get older, circumstances change or new challenges arise. Keeping the plan under regular review helps ensure it continues to meet the needs of your family.

How We Can Help

Reaching agreement after a separation is not always straightforward. Our experienced Family Law solicitors provide practical, balanced advice to help parents develop parenting plans that are realistic, child-focused and built to last.

Where agreement cannot be reached, we can also advise on Child Arrangements Orders, mediation and other child law matters to help you find the most appropriate solution for your family.

To discuss creating a parenting plan or any other issue relating to your children, speak to a member of our Family Law team today.

Call 0800 987 8800 or email enquiries@bmcf.co.uk.

Find a Family Solicitor Near You

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.