Child Arrangements Order

What is a Child Arrangements Order?

A Child Arrangements Order (CAO) is a court order that establishes arrangements for a child or children, specifically regarding:

• With whom the child will live, spend time, or otherwise have contact
• When the child will live, spend time, or otherwise have contact with any person

“Contact” refers to the time a child spends with an adult, which may take several forms:

• Direct contact: Face-to-face time with the person named in the order
• Overnight contact: Extended or overnight visits
• Telephone or video contact
• Supervised contact: Visits monitored by an approved supervisor
• Indirect contact: Communication through letters, cards, or other indirect means
  The court may also decide to order no contact if it is deemed necessary.

Applying for a Child Arrangements Order

If difficulties arise in arranging contact for children, we recommend exploring mediation as a first step to agree on a suitable child schedule. Mediation offers an excellent alternative to court, promoting cooperative discussion. However, if mediation fails and positions remain fixed, a court application is often the next appropriate option to provide a formal resolution.

More details on Child Arrangements Orders

A CAO can specify which person a child will live with, though it does not always determine a specific location.

• Living Arrangements: A CAO may allow a child to live with one parent or with both parents.

  • If the order allows the child to live with both parents, this does not imply equal time spent in each home. It establishes that the child has a home with both parents, reflecting the court’s recognition of both parents’ equal status. The CAO will often detail a specific schedule, even if time is divided unequally between homes.

• Duration of the Order: A CAO governing where a child lives typically remains in effect until the child is 18. If the order concerns contact with another person, it generally lasts until the child is 16, though in limited cases, it may extend until age 18.

Who Can Apply for a Child Arrangements Order?
The child’s parent, a step-parent, guardian, or anyone the child has lived with for at least three out of the last five years (including the last three months) may apply for a CAO. Others may apply if they have the consent of all individuals with parental responsibility or the court’s permission.