Child Arrangement Orders

If your relationship has ended and you have children, you will need to make some important decisions about where the children will live and the time that will be spent with each parent. This can then be encompassed in the form of a Child Arrangements Order. How long it takes to obtain a child arrangement order will depend on several factors.

If you and the other parent can agree on arrangements, the court will not usually make an order. This is known as the no order principle. If you are unable to agree then you can apply to court for assistance in making those decisions. This will be based on your family's circumstances and what is in the best interests of the children. Every family is different and so it is important to consider all aspects of the family situation in deciding what is best for the children involved. This is known as the welfare check.

In any proceedings concerning children the child’s best interests are paramount and the court must consider the following, known as the welfare checklist:

1. the ascertainable wishes and feelings of the child concerned (considered in the light of his/her age and understanding);
2. his/her physical, emotional and educational needs;
3. the likely effect on him/her of any change in his circumstances;
4. his/her age, sex, background and any characteristics of his/hers which the court considers relevant;
5. any harm which he/she has suffered or is at risk of suffering;
6. how capable each of his/her parents, and any other person in relation to whom the court considers the question to be relevant, is of meeting his/her needs;
7. the range of powers available to the court under this Act in the proceedings in question.