Child Arrangements Orders
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether guidance issued to family courts on child arrangements includes consideration of a child's routines, friendships, extracurricular activities and educational commitments.
Answered by Catherine Atkinson
The Family Court considers the welfare of the child to be paramount in any decisions regarding child arrangements. In determining the child’s welfare needs, the court will consider a wide range of factors relevant to the child’s best interests as set out in the ‘welfare checklist’ in the Children Act 1989.
These include the ascertainable wishes and feelings of the child concerned (considered in light of their age and understanding), the impact on the child of any change in circumstances, and how capable each parent is of meeting the child’s needs. When assessing these factors, the court may take into account evidence relating to the child’s day-to-day life. This can include consideration of the child’s established routines, friendships, extracurricular activities, and educational commitments, where such matters are relevant to their welfare.
Decisions are only made by the court after the judge has heard all the evidence provided by both parties and any other witnesses, including experts, where necessary.
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