Child Arrangement Orders
What Does a Child Arrangement Order Cover?
A Child Arrangement Order can specify:
- Who the child will live with (this can be one parent, both parents at different times, or another guardian).
- Who the child will spend time with (e.g., the non-resident parent, grandparents, or other relatives).
- How the child will have contact (this can include in-person visits, phone calls, video calls, or supervised contact).
The order can be flexible or specific, depending on the circumstances.
What Does a Child Arrangement Order Cover?
The following people can apply for a CAO:
- Parents (whether married, unmarried, or separated).
- Step-parents, guardians, or anyone with parental responsibility
- Grandparents, relatives, or other significant people in the child’s life (but they usually need court permission first).
How to Apply for a Child Arrangement Order
- Mediation – Before applying, parents usually need to try mediation to resolve disputes through the Mediation Information & Assessment Meeting (MIAM).
- Court Application (Form C100) – If mediation fails, an application is made to the Family Court using Form C100.
- Court Hearings – The court will review the case, hear from both parents, and may involve Cafcass (Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service) to assess what is best for the child.
- Final Decision – The judge makes a decision based on the child’s welfare and issues a Child Arrangement Order.
What Factors Does the Court Consider?
For the court, their top priority is the welfare of the child which includes-
- The child’s wishes and feelings (depending on their age and understanding).
- The child’s physical, emotional, and educational needs.
- The likely impact of changes in their life.
- Any risk of harm (e.g., domestic abuse or neglect).
- Each parent’s ability to meet the child’s needs.
Types of Contact in a Child Arrangement Order
- Direct Contact – Face-to-face time with the child.
- Supervised Contact – When a third party must be present (used if there are concerns about safety).
- Indirect Contact – Communication via phone, video calls, letters, or messages.
How Long Does a Child Arrangement Order Last?
- Usually, a CAO lasts until the child turns 16, but in some cases, it can continue until 18.
- It can be changed if circumstances change (e.g., one parent moves far away).
A solicitor is highly recommended for child arrangement disputes, as they provide expert legal advice, protect your rights, and ensure the best outcome for your child. While you can go through the process alone, legal help can make the process smoother and less stressful.
If you have a genuine fear that your ex-partner will not return the children back to you or the UK where they are usually resident, we will make an emergency application with the Family Courts for a Prohibited Steps Order.
Unfortunately, grandparents do not have automatic parental rights, so an application must be made to the court. To seek contact, you will need to request permission from the court by submitting Form C100. Our team is here to guide and support you through the process every step of the way.
If you have parental responsibility, our family team can help you make an application to the family courts to establish a contact arrangement. At Wildings, we will guide you through the entire process, ensuring we achieve the best and most effective outcome for you.Accordion Content
In these cases, we would first recommend mediation to try and resolve the issues. If the matter remains unresolved, we will then advise you on the appropriate application to make to the court in order to finalise the arrangements.
In such cases, we would initially recommend mediation. Should matters continue to not be resolved, we would then advise you on what application should be made to the court to finalise arrangements.
Book your initial consultation with our Family Law Solicitors in Birmingham. Freephone 0330 333 8797, request a callback or email info@wildings-solicitors.co.uk for specialist advice.
