Child Arrangement Order Solicitors

When it comes to contact with a child, there are a number of different kinds of contact between a parent and a child. These can include:

Direct contact

This refers to when there is face to face contact – they are together in person. This could be between a parent who has a residential order, or not.

Visiting contact

This refers to contact when the child is taken to visit the non-residential parent. Visits can take place at the parent’s domestic residence, a grandparent’s home, or temporary accommodation.

Staying contact

Staying contact refers to contact whereby the child stays with the non-residential parent overnight. The family court will indicate what is the maximum amount of time that the child should be allowed to stay away, but this can be disputed if you do not agree.

Interim contact

This refers to the child’s contact arrangements before the details are finalised through a contact order.

Defined contact

Defined contact refers to contact whereby the court defined the schedule of contact.

Reasonable contact

Refers to the amount of contact that parents deem to be ‘reasonable’. This can often be a sticking point in the proceedings and is something that must be mutually agreed upon.

Supported contact

Refers to contact that takes place in a mutual community location. There are staff and volunteers around by the contact is not monitored and there are no child welfare concerns.

Supervised contact

Supervised contact refers to contact that takes place within a contact centre. In these cases, there can be concern over the welfare of the child, and the contact is monitored by staff all the time. Staff also record details of these contact sessions.

Indirect contact

This refers to contact when the two are not face to face – it can include telephone cards, letters, emails, and other means of communication. This contact is usually put in place when there is a doubt over the safety of the child and contact is made through a third party. Indirect contact will normally be ordered initially for six months before it is reviewed.

Escorted contact 

Refers to the next step from contact through a contact centre. In this case, the child and parent can be accompanied to outside locations such as parks or shops. The contact is arranged by the staff.

There are also other specific issues such as where the children will go to school and whether they should see extended family members. Sometimes one parent may wish to move abroad and arrangements need to be made to allow the relationship with the children to continue.

It is always best to find the answer to these questions between both parents without going to court. Our specialist lawyers can discuss this with the other parent’s solicitors and often court can be avoided.

If there is a dispute between you and the other parent that cannot be resolved, the courts can be asked to help make the decisions.

Whether the courts are involved or not, our expert family lawyers have the knowledge and experience to ensure that you are aware of your options all the time.

In legal terms, a Child Contact Order can be made and is applicable until the child is 18 years old. However, the law says that when the child reaches 16 years old, they should have the choice of who they want to live with.

The most important factor to remember is that contact with family members is the child’s right. Family law outlines that both parents that are on the child’s birth certificate have parental responsibility for the child. This does not, however, give you an automatic right to contact with the child in the event of a separation – the contact is the right of the child.

Anybody who is close to the child has the right to ask for contact with the child. This includes:

• Either parent
• A step-parent
• Any person who the child has lived with for a minimum of three years
• Grandparents
• Aunts and Uncles
• Siblings

Every child has the right, where possible, to see – either through contact or residential orders – their parents. Sometimes these arrangements can be made without any orders or legal intervention, but sometimes this is not possible. Many couples are able to resolve the issues through mediation, but for others, it gets to the stage where the courts need to make the decision for them.

All of the decisions relating to the child and their contact with their parents are made with the child’s best interests as a priority.

A Child Contact Order and a Residence Order are both categorised under a Child Arrangement Order. A Residence Order is granted to the parent that will have the child living with them. Child Contact Order will normally be granted to the other parent in the event of a separation, which determines what kind of contact they may have with the child.

The sooner you contact us the quicker you will be able to take positive steps forward. It is particularly important, when there is a dispute, to take legal advice as soon possible. Acting now could mean that you have a better chance of achieving the best possible outcome for you whether this relates to divorce, separation, children, financial disputes, or domestic abuse.