Child Arrangements & Parenting Plan Guide UK 2025 — Agreeing & Enforcing Contact
When parents separate, arranging how children spend time with each parent is the most emotionally charged issue they face. Courts strongly prefer parents to agree arrangements without judicial intervention. But when agreement is impossible, the Family Court can make a Child Arrangements Order. This guide explains both routes, what courts consider, and how to enforce or vary an existing order.
MIAM (Mediation Information & Assessment Meeting) is mandatory before most court applications. CAO application fee: £232. CAFCASS safeguarding checks: standard on all applications. Legal aid available for domestic abuse victims (with evidence). Resolution.org.uk: find a family mediator or solicitor. Free: National Domestic Abuse Helpline 0808 2000 247.
The Court Process for Child Arrangements
- MIAM — you must attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting before applying to court (unless exempt). The mediator gives you a certificate allowing a court application.
- Application (C100 form) — submit to the family court. Fee: £232. The court serves the application on the other parent.
- CAFCASS safeguarding checks — CAFCASS (Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service) carries out checks with police and children’s services and produces a safeguarding letter within 17 days.
- First Hearing Dispute Resolution Appointment (FHDRA) — typically within 4–6 weeks. The judge tries to help parties reach agreement. CAFCASS officer present.
- Dispute Resolution Appointment (DRA) — if no agreement at FHDRA, a further hearing is listed. Many cases settle here.
- Final Hearing — contested cases go to a full hearing where the judge hears evidence and makes an order. This can take 6–18+ months from application.
Parenting Plans — Agreement Without Court
A parenting plan is a written agreement between parents about how they will co-parent. It is not legally binding but demonstrates you have tried to agree. It can cover: where the child lives and when; holiday arrangements; school and medical decisions; how you will communicate about the child; and how to resolve future disagreements. Free parenting plan templates are available from cafcass.gov.uk and Relate. A solicitor can turn a parenting plan into a consent order for £1,000–2,000, giving it legal force without a full court process.
Enforcing a Child Arrangements Order
If the other parent breaches a CAO (e.g. withholds the child during your contact time), you can apply to the court on Form C79 for enforcement. The court can: warn the parent; require them to undertake unpaid work; impose a fine; vary the order; or in extreme repeated cases, transfer residence. Courts take enforcement seriously but always focus on what is best for the child — not on punishing the parent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but grandparents must first obtain leave (permission) from the court before making a full CAO application. Leave is usually granted where there is a genuine relationship between the grandparent and the child that has broken down due to the separation. Grandparents cannot apply directly; they must use Form C100 to seek leave, then if granted, apply for the order itself. Contact Grandparents Plus for free advice on grandparent contact rights.
If you have genuine concerns the child will be taken abroad without your consent, you can apply urgently for a Prohibited Steps Order (PSO) preventing travel and/or surrender of the passport. In extreme cases an emergency CAO application can be made without notice to the other parent (ex parte). The All Ports Warning system can also be activated through the police to prevent a child leaving the UK. Act immediately if you believe a trip is imminent.