Child
Arrangement
Orders

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Child Arrangement Orders

Child Arrangement Orders were introduced in 2014, replacing the older Residence and Contact Orders. This change aimed to simplify the legal framework and provide a more comprehensive approach to managing the living and contact arrangements for children following the separation or divorce of their parents.

This order specifies where the child will live, who they will spend time with, and how other forms of contact, such as phone calls, will be managed. The primary goal of a Child Arrangement Order is to ensure the child’s welfare and stability, providing a structured framework that prioritises their best interests. These orders replace the older residence and contact orders, offering a more comprehensive approach to managing the child’s upbringing. By clearly outlining the responsibilities and expectations for each parent, Child Arrangement Orders help reduce conflicts and provide a predictable environment for the child to thrive

Types of child arrangement orders:

There are two types of child arrangement orders, and these are as follows:

1. Who is the child to live, spend time and have contact with

2. When is the child to live, spend time, and have contact with another person

These arrangement orders are similar to the previous ‘residence and contact orders’.

It has legally been adjusted from ‘residence order‘ to ‘an order providing with whom the child is to live with or when the child is to live with another person‘ and ‘contact order‘ to ‘an order providing with whom the child is to spend time/have contact with‘.

However, each type of arrangement is different from one another, they reflect upon where a child should live full-time, and where and when a child should have contact with someone else.

Child arrangement orders from Solent Family Mediation

Worried ABout Court?

We provide a structured and child-focused approach to determining living and contact arrangements post-separation. These orders specify where the child will live, who they will spend time with, and how other forms of contact will be managed. Solent Family Mediation emphasises the importance of these orders in ensuring the child's welfare and stability, helping parents create a predictable and supportive environment.

Want to help your family?

Mediation offers a collaborative and less adversarial alternative to court proceedings, guiding parents through the process with empathy and professionalism. Their mediators help parents reach mutually acceptable agreements, reducing conflict and fostering cooperation. This approach not only benefits the children by providing a stable and secure environment but also helps parents maintain a positive co-parenting relationship.

MIAM and CHILD ARRANGEMENT ORDER

For families/individuals currently going wanting to set up a child arrangement order it is compulsory before you can make an application to the court to attend a mediation information and assessment meeting (MIAM) beforehand.