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AI Generated British Child Arrangements Order
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Discover how our AI-powered tool generates customised Child Arrangements Orders and parenting plans tailored to UK family law, helping separated parents create legally compliant agreements for child custody and care arrangements.
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Example of a Child Arrangements Order for use in the United Kingdom</b> generated by our AI model.
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When do you need a Child Arrangements Order in the United Kingdom?

Parents Can't Agree on Childcare
If you and the other parent disagree on where your child will live or how much time they spend with each of you, a Child Arrangements Order helps settle these issues fairly.
After a Separation or Divorce
During or after a breakup, this order provides clear rules on your child's daily care and contact arrangements to reduce conflicts.
Concerns About Child's Safety
When there's worry about your child's well-being, such as risks of harm or neglect, the order can specify protections and who makes key decisions.
Unclear Holiday or School Plans
It outlines how holidays, school choices, and other important matters will be handled to avoid confusion and arguments.
Why a Well-Drafted Document Matters
A clear and thoughtful parenting plan ensures your child's needs are met, promotes stability, and can prevent costly court battles in the future.

British Legal Rules for a Child Arrangements Order

What it Covers
A Child Arrangements Order decides where a child lives and how much time they spend with each parent or guardian after separation.
Who Can Apply
Parents, guardians, or anyone with significant contact with the child can apply to the court for this order.
Court's Main Focus
The court always prioritizes the child's welfare and best interests above all else when making decisions.
No Automatic Right
Mothers do not automatically get primary custody; both parents have equal legal standing unless the court decides otherwise.
Try Agreement First
Parents should attempt to agree on arrangements through mediation before going to court.
Enforcement Options
If someone breaks the order, the court can enforce it through fines, community service, or even jail time.
Changes Over Time
The order can be updated by the court if the child's needs change, such as due to age or circumstances.
Important

Using the wrong type of parenting agreement can fail to adequately protect children's welfare or enforce parental responsibilities.

What a Proper Child Arrangements Order Should Include

  • Where the Child Lives
    This specifies which parent the child will live with primarily, or if they will split time between both parents.
  • Visitation Times
    It outlines the schedule for when and how the non-resident parent can spend time with the child, including weekends and holidays.
  • Holiday and Special Occasion Plans
    This covers arrangements for school breaks, birthdays, and other important events to ensure fair sharing.
  • Decision-Making Responsibilities
    It details which parent makes key choices about the child's education, health, and religion.
  • Communication Guidelines
    This sets rules for how parents will talk to each other about the child, like using apps or emails.
  • Financial Support Details
    It may include agreements on child maintenance payments to cover living costs.
  • Travel and Relocation Rules
    This addresses permissions for holidays abroad or moving house that could affect arrangements.
  • Dispute Resolution Methods
    It suggests ways to handle disagreements, such as mediation, before returning to court.

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Our AI model considers the latest legal standards and regulations of the United Kingdom during the drafting process.
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Free Example Child Arrangements Order Template

Below is a free template example of a Child Arrangements Order for use in the United Kingdom generated by our AI model.

The clauses in your actual Child Arrangements Order will vary from this example as they will be entirely bespoke to your requirements as set out in the questionnaire you complete.

Child Arrangements Order

1
TITLE OF THE ORDER

1.1

This order is made by the High Court of Justice Family Division in case number FD21C00001.

1.2

The date of this Child Arrangements Order is 2023-10-15.

2
RECITALS

2.1

The proceedings were initiated in January 2023 when the mother applied to the Family Court for a Child Arrangements Order due to disagreements over contact arrangements.

2.2

An initial hearing was held in March 2023 and interim orders were made for supervised contact.

2.3

A fact-finding hearing occurred in June 2023 after which the court directed a welfare report.

2.4

The final hearing is scheduled for October 2023.

2.5

Previous court orders regarding the child exist.

2.6

The parties have reached agreements regarding the child arrangements.

2.7

The background for the child arrangements includes the child's welfare concerns and mediation or counseling involvement.

2.8

The other party has provided undertakings in the recitals.

2.9

The court has considered the welfare checklist set out in section 1(3) of the Children Act 1989 and the child's welfare is the court's paramount consideration.

3
PARTIES AND CHILD

3.1

The child is Emma Jane Thompson who was born on 2015-03-22.

3.2

The mother of the child is referred to as the Mother.

3.3

The father of the child is referred to as the Father.

4
CHILD ARRANGEMENTS - WITH WHOM THE CHILD LIVES

4.1

The child shall live with the Mother and the Father under a shared living arrangement as follows: with the Mother from Monday to Wednesday each week and with the Father from Wednesday to Friday each week alternating thereafter.

4.2

Shared living between both parents is feasible and allows the child to maintain strong relationships with both parents promotes stability and supports her emotional well-being by ensuring equal involvement from the Mother and the Father.

4.3

The transition to the shared living arrangement shall be gradual over a period of weeks.

5
CHILD ARRANGEMENTS - SPENDS TIME WITH

5.1

The child shall spend time with the Father as follows: every Saturday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM and every Sunday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM commencing on 2024-01-15.

5.2

The child shall spend time with the non-resident parent at the non-resident parent's home or local park.

5.3

Each regular period that the child spends time with a parent shall last for the periods set out above.

5.4

Holiday and special occasion schedules shall be as set out in the attached Schedule 1 which forms part of this order.

5.5

The non-resident parent shall be responsible for transporting the child to and from contact with handovers to take place at the child's school or a neutral location if school is not in session.

5.6

The parties shall communicate via a parenting app to discuss arrangements and any changes.

5.7

In the event of a dispute regarding the arrangements the parties shall attend mediation before making an application to the court.

6
SPECIFIC ISSUE ORDERS

6.1

The child shall attend the local state school due to its proximity and better support for the child's special educational needs as the parents disagree on whether the child should attend the local state school or a private academy.

6.2

The child shall receive education in both Christian and Muslim traditions including participation in key ceremonies like Christmas and Eid to respect both heritages as the parents follow different religions.

6.3

The child's surname shall remain Thompson and neither parent shall change the child's surname without the written consent of the other parent or an order of the court.

6.4

The Mother shall have responsibility for day to day medical decisions and the parents shall consult on major health decisions with neither able to act unilaterally.

7
PROHIBITED STEPS ORDERS

7.1

The Mother and the Father are prohibited from removing the child from the jurisdiction without the written consent of the other parent or an order of the court.

7.2

The Mother and the Father are prohibited from changing the child's surname without the written consent of the other parent or an order of the court.

7.3

These prohibited steps are necessary for the child's welfare due to the risk of child abduction and a history of non-cooperation.

7.4

Neither parent shall discuss these proceedings with the child or allow the child to read any court documents.

8
PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY

8.1

The Father shall have parental responsibility for the child pursuant to section 4 of the Children Act 1989.

9
INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL AND PASSPORTS

9.1

The parties shall cooperate to renew the child's passport every 5 years with the costs shared equally.

9.2

For international travel each parent must provide at least 28 days notice and provide a detailed itinerary contact details and copy of travel insurance to the other parent.

9.3

The child may travel abroad with either parent for holidays provided it is within the jurisdiction of the Hague Convention on Child Abduction or with written consent.

10
NOTIFICATION OF CHANGES

10.1

Each parent shall notify the other in writing of any change in address telephone number or email address at least 7 days in advance.

10.2

Each parent shall keep the other informed of the child's medical educational and general welfare matters.

11
FINANCIAL PROVISION FOR THE CHILD

11.1

This order does not include any financial provision for the child. Any application for child maintenance shall be made to the Child Maintenance Service or the court in separate proceedings as appropriate.

12
COSTS

12.1

There shall be no order for costs.

13
ENFORCEMENT PROVISIONS

13.1

A penal notice is attached to the provisions relating to with whom the child shall live and spend time with. Failure to comply with those provisions may result in you being committed to prison for contempt of court.

13.2

In the event of non-compliance the matter may be referred to enforcement officers or the court may make an enforcement order under section 11J of the Children Act 1989.

13.3

The enforcement provisions shall be triggered by failure to return the child on time or denial of contact time.

14
SERVICE OF THE ORDER

14.1

This order shall be served by the applicant on the respondent by first class post within 7 days of the date of this order.

14.2

The Mother and the Father confirm that they have received a copy of this Child Arrangements Order and understand the service requirements.

This example shows approximately 70% of a typical document and is provided for illustrative purposes only. The remaining content has been omitted.

Every document generated by Docaro is tailored to your specific circumstances, jurisdiction and the information you provide. The completed document includes all applicable clauses and provisions required for your situation.

To generate the full, personalised document, answer a short series of questions and your document will be created instantly.

Useful Resources When Considering a Child Arrangements Order in the United Kingdom

How an 'Our Child's Plan' (formerly 'Parenting Plan') can help
CAFCASS.GOV.UK
Word version
CAFCASS.GOV.UK
Understanding why a child does not want to spend family ...
CAFCASS.GOV.UK
Parental responsibility - childlawadvice.org. ...
CHILDLAWADVICE.ORG.UK
Show All Resources

United Kingdom Reference Legislation

The following legislation is relevant to the generation of a Child Arrangements Order in the United Kingdom:
•
Children Act 1989
The primary legislation governing child welfare, arrangements for children, and court orders related to residence and contact, which form the basis of parenting plans in family law proceedings.
•
Children and Families Act 2014
Introduces requirements for parties in family proceedings to attend mediation before applying to court and promotes child arrangements orders, which replace residence and contact orders, influencing parenting plans.
•
Family Procedure Rules 2010
Sets out the procedural requirements for family court applications, including those for child arrangements orders that underpin parenting plans.
•
Child Maintenance and Other Payments Act 2008
Regulates child maintenance arrangements, which may be incorporated into parenting plans to address financial support for children.

Child Arrangements Order FAQs

A parenting plan, also known as a Child Arrangements Order parenting plan, is a written agreement between separated parents outlining how they will care for their children. It covers living arrangements, contact schedules, holidays, and decision-making on education and health. In the UK, this helps avoid court involvement and promotes child welfare.
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Document Generation FAQs

Docaro is an AI-powered legal and corporate document generator that helps you create fully formatted, legal contracts and agreements in minutes. Just answer a few guided questions and download your document instantly.
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