Child Arrangements Order (CAO)

What is a Child Arrangements Order?

This is an order that sets out clear, agreed arrangements for a child, including:

• Where the child will live
• Who the child will spend time with, and how often
• How that time together will happen, whether in person, by phone, video call, or another way

Its whole purpose is to give a child a steady, settled routine and to protect their wellbeing. Unless stated otherwise, it usually stays in place until the child turns 18.

Who Can Apply?

You may be able to ask for this if you are:

• A parent, including a birth parent, adoptive parent, or step parent with responsibility for the child
• Someone with responsibility for the child
• A guardian or special guardian
• Someone the child has lived with for at least 3 of the last 5 years
• A grandparent or other relative, with some extra agreement needed first

What Happens If The Order Is Breached?

If someone breaks this order without good reason, a few different things can happen, such as:

• A formal warning being given
• Being asked to complete unpaid community work
• A financial penalty
• Changes being made to contact or living arrangements
• In serious cases, a period of time away from the child

Whatever happens, the child's wellbeing always comes first when working out what to do next.

How Does CDA Help?

At CDA, we are here to support anyone going through abuse at home in getting the protection that they and their children deserve. We can help you understand this order, prepare what is needed, and work with our trusted partners throughout. There is no charge at all for using our service.

If abuse at home is part of your situation, we can also help you look into other kinds of protection alongside this one, so everything works together to keep you and your child safe.