What Does a Parenting Plan Include?

When parents separate, having a clear parenting plan is crucial. It reduces conflict and ensures decisions centre on the child’s needs. Simply put, it’s a practical roadmap that outlines who is responsible for the child's care, when, and how.

What is a Parenting Plan?

A parenting plan is a written agreement between parents that outlines their responsibilities and daily routines, whether the child resides primarily with one parent or splits time between both. Although it isn’t automatically legally binding, family courts do take it seriously. If you need it enforced, you can ask the court to turn it into a parenting order.

If you’re unsure where to start, the Cafcass website provides a functional parenting plan template. It is a practical tool for parents going through separation to organise their arrangements clearly and fairly.

A good parenting plan also includes review points. Life changes—people move, work hours shift, and children grow. A review clause allows parents to revisit the plan every six or twelve months to make adjustments as needed, without added pressure.

What’s In It?

A comprehensive parenting plan for UK families typically includes:

1. Primary Residence

This primarily concerns the child's living situation. It defines the child's primary home. It covers details around whether they are living with one parent or splitting time equally, week-on/week-off, or similar child-rearing routines.

2. Time with Each Parent

Details of school runs, weekends, holidays, and special days. Spelling out expectations helps avoid misunderstandings over time between parents and children.

3. Communication Guidelines

Include plans for a phone call or video call. That’s especially key if one parent isn't physically around daily.

4. Education and Healthcare

Make it clear who will receive school reports, who will attend parents' evenings, and who will go to medical appointments. It outlines who makes decisions about things like therapy or vaccinations.

5. Religion, culture, values

If cultural practices are essential, specify how they will be supported in both households.

6. Child maintenance

Your plan can note who pays, how, and when outside of Child Maintenance Service involvement. 60 % of separated families in Great Britain now have some form of maintenance arrangement, either formal or informal.

7. Holidays and travel

Outline who is responsible for taking the child on trips, passports, notice periods, and how costs are shared.

8. Introducing new partners

Agree on how and when the child meets new partners—this is critical for ease of adjustment and protecting family life.

9. Dispute resolution steps

Your parenting plan should explain how you’ll handle future disagreements. Will you return to mediation? Seek help from a support service? Having this written down can help avoid panic or rash decisions.

10. Behaviour and discipline consistency

List shared expectations for screen time, bedtime, diet, and behaviour boundaries to create a sense of stability across households.

11. Emergency plans

Who picks the child up in the event of an emergency at school? Who has the authority to make urgent medical decisions? This is often overlooked but vital.

12. School transitions or changes

Include a clause about how you’ll make decisions if the child moves from primary to secondary school, or if one parent wants to consider private or alternative education.

Why a Parenting Plan Matters

1. Dispute resolution over court battles - Mediation works. Under the Mediator Voucher Scheme, 70 % of families reach full or partial settlement without going to court. You keep control, reduce stress, and likely save thousands.
2. Source of reference for courts - If things fall apart, the court can use your plan to shape a formal court order. This helps avoid ugly fights down the line. A well-structured parenting plan can demonstrate to the court that both parents understand their obligations.
3. Keeps the child out of the middle - One of the key benefits of a parenting plan is that it avoids making children feel like messengers. They won’t need to explain arrangements or manage grown-up conflicts.
4. Encourages long-term thinking - A parenting plan forces both parents to look ahead to where the child will be in a year, five years, or during key milestones, such as exams or holidays.

Does It Work When Things Get Tough?

If there has been domestic abuse or one parent is controlling, it’s imperative to speak to a lawyer before agreeing to anything. The court won’t approve a plan unless it’s sure the child is safe and that the plan is in their best interests.

Family courts take domestic abuse very seriously, and it might mean a parenting plan isn’t the right option. Sometimes, additional safeguards such as supervised visits or using contact centres may need to be implemented to ensure everyone's safety.

If you’re not sure whether you’re dealing with controlling behaviour, you can get confidential advice from groups like Women’s Aid or the National Domestic Abuse Helpline.

When Does the Court Get Involved?

You don’t have to involve the court if both parents stick to the plan, which means you can avoid a parenting order. However, if one parent stops following it, you can apply to the court for a Child Arrangements Order. In such cases, Cafcass may be asked to assist. According to a recent report as of June 2025, they had 27,284 open private family cases.

How Fast Could You Get a Court Order?

Private law cases (like parenting disputes) now take around 41 weeks from application to final order. That’s ten months longer than you’d want. During that time, a temporary arrangement or parenting plan can help maintain stability.

Keep in mind that long delays also mean the child lives in a state of uncertainty. So, making the effort to agree on a parenting plan early avoids unnecessary stress for everyone.

Can Other Relatives Use It?

Yes, but only if parents agree. Grandparents or carers can be part of informal plans. If relationships break down, they'd have to apply for permission before seeking anything official. A parenting plan can include clear clauses on how and when extended family is involved.  You could also include details of emergency contact people who can step in temporarily if both parents are unavailable.

How to Fill Out a Parenting Plan When You’re Stuck

1. Start with mediation - The Government’s scheme has extended £500 mediation vouchers until March 2026, helping 37,700 families so far and reducing private law applications by approximately 9%.
2. Use a support service - At Family Law Mediation, our experts guide you to balanced, child-centred solutions. That means less stress, reduced conflict, and no “court decides” scenario.
3. Explore online parenting resources - Sites like the Cafcass website or other online parenting tools provide templates, checklists, and FAQs. These help you structure a fair agreement even if you’re unsure where to begin.
4. Talk to a family solicitor for clarity - If your parenting plan could one day be part of legal proceedings, it’s worth getting professional eyes on it before you sign.

Can a Parenting Plan Become Enforceable?

Absolutely. If you ask the court, your plan can be made into a legally binding parenting order. From then on, non-compliance can result in warnings, changes to arrangements, or legal consequences. It goes from mutual intention to a legally binding plan.

If the court has ordered a CAO (Child Arrangements Order), it can enforce it with fines, community service, or, in rare cases, even imprisonment for persistent breaches. Having a clear record of attempts to cooperate and honour a parenting plan can help your credibility if the matter ends up in court.

Do You Need Legal Advice?

You don’t always need a solicitor. However, if things are complicated, emotionally fraught, or there's a history of control issues, seek legal advice early. A supportive parent starts by making informed choices, even if they feel tough. Legal guidance can ensure your plan holds up under scrutiny if it ever reaches the family courts.

Even if you’re not going through the family courts, speaking to a solicitor can help. Consulting with an expert ensures that your parenting plan isn’t too vague, overly strict, or one-sided.

Ready to Create Your Parenting Plan?

A solid plan provides structure, reduces conflict, and keeps the focus on your child’s welfare rather than the legal battles.

Family Law Mediation, based in the Midlands, helps separating parents draft clear, balanced parenting plans with no obligation. We offer:

• Free initial consultation
• Flexible sessions (including Zoom and evenings)
• Help with turning plans into parenting orders if needed.

Email at: info@familylawmediation.co.uk or call 0116 4422 989 to book your free consultation. Start building a plan that protects your child, your rights, and your future.