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Child Arrangements Programme
On 22 April 2014, the Child Arrangements Programme came into force. The Child Arrangements Programme applies where a dispute arises between separated parents and/or families about arrangements concerning children. The programme is designed to try and facilitate and encourage the resolution of disputes outside of the Court system and if this is not possible to resolve issues through the Court system as quickly as possible.
The current focus is very much on trying to avoid Court proceedings where possible and all parties are now expected to try and resolve disputes in relation to children outside of the Court. Therefore, it is compulsory for all prospective applicants to engage in a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (known as a MIAM meeting). This means that the person who wishes to make the application must first refer the matter to mediation to see whether this would be an appropriate way of settling any disputes. Please note that legal aid is still available for mediation provided the parties are financially eligible.
There are some exceptions to attending a MIAM and these are as follows:-
If mediation is not appropriate or does not work, then it is open to the parties to make an application to Court.
The Court can make the following orders in relation to children:-
When considering an application for a Child Arrangements Order, the Court must first consider whether an Order is necessary as there is a presumption that no Order should be made unless it is necessary. If the Court does consider an Order to be necessary then the paramount consideration will be the welfare of the child. The Children and Families Act 2014 also introduces a presumption, unless the contrary is shown, that the involvement of both parents in the life of the child concerned will further the child’s welfare. Involvement means involvement of some kind, either direct or indirect, but not any particular division of a child’s time.
The Court will adopt the general principle that any delay in determining children’s proceedings will affect the child adversely and therefore the avoidance of delay is a high priority with the Court. The Court must take into account the following factors, known as the Welfare Checklist, which is set out in the Children Act 1989 and this is as follows:-
a) The ascertainable wishes and feelings of the child concerned (considered in the light of his age and understanding);
b) His physical, emotional and educational needs;
c) The likely effect on him of any change in his circumstances;
d) His age, sex, background and any characteristics of his which the Court considers relevant;
e) Any harm which he has suffered or is at risk of suffering;
f) How capable each of his parents, and any other person in relation to whom the Court considers the question to be relevant, is of meeting his needs;
g) The range of powers available to the Court under this Act in the proceedings in question.
The Welfare Checklist is considered in each case with no item being more or less important than the other.
Once an application is received by the court, the application will be forwarded to CAFCASS (Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service) to carry out a safeguarding check. This means that they will make inquiries with the police and social services to see whether there are any safeguarding concerns. They will also try and speak with the parties to see if they raise any safeguarding concerns. The CAFCASS officer will then prepare a letter known as a Schedule 2 letter which sets out the results of their investigations and may give the Court an indication of what to do next. At the same time, the application will be allocated within the Family Court and if the person applying for the Order has not attended a MIAM and has not provided a valid exemption, the Judge can direct the attendance of the parties to a MIAM before the first Hearing takes place.
When making an application to court you will need to also include a MIAM form.; which either confirms you attended a MIAM meeting or confirms that a MIAM meeting is not necessary.
The first Hearing is known as a First Hearing Dispute Resolution Appointment (FHDRA). At this Hearing, a CAFCASS officer should also be in attendance at Court to discuss matters with the parties and will arrange to speak to any party they did not have an opportunity to speak to during their safeguarding enquiries. This Hearing should take place 5 or 6 weeks after the application is issued. The purpose of the hearing is to enable the parties to understand the issues in dispute and try and reach agreement. If the parties reach agreement, a final Order can be made provided the safeguarding checks are complete.
If no agreement can be reached, then the Court will give directions as to how the rest of the case should proceed. This might include the filing of statements, expert evidence and/or CAFCASS providing a report if there are welfare issues or other specific considerations which should be addressed in a report. A report is often ordered when there is a dispute over where a child should live or when they should spend time with the other parent and can be limited, if appropriate, to the wishes and feelings of the child. If the Court directs a report from CAFCASS this will not necessarily be the same CAFCASS officer who attended the first Hearing. The CAFCASS officer will usually visit all of the parties in their respective homes and may also ask the parties to attend an appointment at their office. A CAFCASS officer will usually speak to the children or, if they are too young to discuss the case, then they may observe the child in each parties’ care. The CAFCASS officer may also speak with any relevant teachers or school staff. In cases where there has been social services involvement, the Court will often ask the allocated social worker to write the report in the place of CAFCASS. If a CAFCASS officer is asked to file a report, at present at the Family Court in Bristol, this is taking approximately 12 weeks to be completed but might be less if the report is limited, for example a wishes and feelings report.
In most cases, some interim arrangements for contact will be agreed at this hearing until the matter can be concluded.
If there are issues of domestic or child abuse and the Court determines it is necessary to determine the truth of these allegations before it can make a decision about the child, then the Court may give directions leading towards a Fact Finding Hearing. A Fact Finding Hearing is a Hearing specifically for the Judge to determine whether allegations of domestic or child abuse occurred or not before it goes on to consider what child arrangements are appropriate.
If CAFCASS or another expert has been ordered to file a report, the Court will list the matter for a Dispute Resolution Appointment (DRA) after the report has been filed with all the parties. At this hearing, the parties are encouraged to come to an agreement, usually in line with the recommendations of the CAFCASS officer.
If no agreement can be reached at this Hearing, then the Court will list the matter for a final welfare hearing. At a final welfare hearing, the Court will consider any evidence already put before the Court and the parties will usually be asked to give oral evidence and be cross examined by the other party’s representative. If any witnesses have filed statements or if a CAFCASS officer has provided a report, they must also attend Court and give evidence. Upon the basis of the evidence heard, the Judge will then make a final Order.
Although a final order may be made it is always open to any party to make a further application to court in respect of children matters at a later date. As children get older their needs change, and therefore the arrangements may need to change. Again, parents will be expected to try and reach agreement, and it is only if agreement cannot be reached that a further application to court will be necessary.