How to make or change child arrangements (also known as contact, access or custody) with the other parent. For example, you may need to decide where your children will live or rearrange the times they see you. Includes making arrangements and reaching an agreement.

This factsheet aims to help you make effective arrangements for your child - about where they live and when they spend time with each parent and their family and friends.

Information about the different court orders a family court can make about children if you divorce or separate and can't agree the arrangements yourselves - arrangements about where your child will live and who they will see.

This page explains the law on spending time with a child when a relationship breaks down, including the different types of contact and what happens when a court order is used to sort out arrangements for your children. 

Covers a range of issues, including, how do we decide where the child shall live? What if I was not married to the other parent? At what age can a child decide where they want to live? What happens if the non-resident parent does not return the child? What happens if parents cannot decide where the child shall live?

Contains advice sheets with detailed advice to kinship carers. It includes advice for special guardians and kinship foster carers and to parents whose children are in kinship care. There are also DIY guides for relatives and friends who are considering applying to court for a special guardianship order or a child arrangements order.

This information explains what a special guardianship order is and who can apply for one. 

This page explains the situations where Special Guardianship might be appropriate to secure the long term arrangements for a child living with a person other than their parent. It explains the assessment process and support available.

This information explains what special guardianship is and what effect it has, who can apply for it, how you can apply for it, and how to get financial support. 

A sample of an order that sets out contact and living arrangements for your children. 

Explains how to prevent abduction, what to do if a child is abducted, and how to lawfully remove a child from the U.K. 

Explains the role of the Child and Family Court Advisory Support Service in the court process, including the safeguarding checks that they carry out.