CHILD ARRANGEMENTS
Child Arrangements Guide
Putting Children First | UK Law | Updated 2025
Under the Children Act 1989, the child's welfare is the court's paramount consideration. Parents are strongly encouraged to agree arrangements themselves, with the court as a last resort.
The Welfare Checklist
When making any decision about a child, courts must consider these factors:
1
Child's wishes and feelings
Considered in light of their age and understanding
2
Physical, emotional & educational needs
All aspects of the child's development
3
Effect of any change
How changes might affect the child
4
Age, sex, background
Relevant characteristics of the child
5
Harm suffered or at risk of
Any harm the child has or might suffer
6
Parents' capabilities
How capable each parent is of meeting needs
7
Range of court powers
What orders the court could make
Types of Court Orders
Child Arrangements Order
Sets out where a child lives and spends time
Replaced residence and contact ordersCan specify "lives with" and "spends time with" arrangements
Specific Issue Order
Decides a specific question about upbringing
E.g., which school, religious upbringing, medical treatmentUsed when parents cannot agree on a particular issue
Prohibited Steps Order
Prevents certain actions without court consent
E.g., changing child's surname, removing from UKStops a parent from taking a specific step
Types of Contact
Staying contact
Overnight stays with the non-resident parent
Visiting contact
Daytime visits without overnight stays
Indirect contact
Letters, phone calls, video calls, emails
Supervised contact
Contact supervised by a third party for safety
Supported contact
Contact at a child contact centre
Common Arrangements
Alternate weekends
Friday after school to Sunday evening, every other weekend
Suitable for: Young children, long-distance situations50/50 shared care
Equal time with each parent (week on/week off, 2-2-3)
Suitable for: Parents living close, flexible work, good communicationPrimary residence + midweek
Alternate weekends plus one midweek overnight
Suitable for: School-age children, structured routineParental Responsibility
Who Has Parental Responsibility?
- Mothers - automatically
- Married fathers - automatically
- Unmarried fathers named on birth certificate (after Dec 2003)
- Fathers with PR agreement or court order
- Step-parents with PR agreement or order
What Does PR Mean?
Parental responsibility includes the right to:
- Make decisions about education
- Consent to medical treatment
- Choose religious upbringing
- Give permission to travel abroad
- Name the child
Plan Your Child Arrangements
Tools and guidance to put your children first.