A Child Arrangements Order (CAO) is a court order made by the Family Court that sets out the arrangements for a child after parents separate.

It usually determines where a child lives and how much time they spend with each parent or carer.

Child Arrangements Orders are one of the most common orders made by the Family Court when parents cannot agree on arrangements for their child.

A Child Arrangements Order can decide things such as:

• where the child will live

• how much time the child spends with each parent

• when contact takes place

• overnight stays

• school holiday arrangements

• how a child communicates with a parent they do not live with.

The aim is to create clear arrangements that support the best interests and wellbeing of the child.

Child Arrangements Orders usually describe arrangements using two key terms.

Lives With

This means the child lives primarily with that parent.

Spends Time With

This refers to the time a child spends with the other parent. This may include weekends, overnight stays, holidays or other agreed contact.

Every arrangement will depend on the circumstances of the child and family.

A Child Arrangements Order is usually the final outcome of a Family Court process, rather than something that is granted immediately.

If parents cannot agree arrangements for their child, one parent may apply to the Family Court using a C100 application form.

The C100 form asks the court to make decisions about arrangements for a child.

Once the application is submitted, the case usually moves through several stages before the court decides whether a Child Arrangements Order should be made.

These stages may include:

• safeguarding checks carried out by CAFCASS

• an initial hearing in court

• further hearings if parents cannot reach an agreement

• reports prepared for the court

• a final hearing, where the judge makes a decision.

If an agreement cannot be reached during the process, the judge may make a Child Arrangements Order which sets out the final arrangements.

Family Court proceedings can take time.

From the point of submitting a C100 application, cases often involve several stages and hearings before a final decision is made. It is standard that this could take 6+ months.

The timeline will depend on the complexity of the case and the court’s availability, but it is important to understand that this is rarely a quick process.

When deciding whether to make a Child Arrangements Order, the court’s primary concern is the welfare of the child.

Judges use something known as the Welfare Checklist, which considers factors such as:

• the child’s needs

• the child’s wishes and feelings (depending on age)

• the ability of each parent to meet the child’s needs

• the potential risk of harm to the child.

The goal is always to make arrangements that are in the best interests of the child.

A Child Arrangements Order usually lasts until a child reaches the age of 16.

In some circumstances it may continue until the child turns 18.

If circumstances change, parents can apply to the court to vary or change the order.