What are typical child contact arrangements?
Assessing typical child contact arrangements can be difficult. In many families after divorce or separation, a child lives mainly with one parent and spends time with the other, from a few hours to regular weekend, overnight or holiday stays; other split parenting arrangements and shared parenting are also common. Shared parenting, sometimes called shared residence, does not have to mean a 50/50 split, and there is no legal requirement for a child to spend exactly half their time with each parent. In practice, where there is shared parenting, the child spends at least 40% of time with each parent. Since 2014 the courts no longer make ‘custody’, ‘residence’ or ‘contact’ orders — where a court is involved, it makes a child arrangements order setting out who a child lives with and spends time with. Child contact arrangements dictate where and when the non-resident parent will see and have contact with their child.
For separating or divorced parents in England and Wales, child contact arrangements often cover the child’s time in term time, weekends, overnights, school holidays and festive periods, as well as how handovers, communication and routine will work. Common arrangements include alternate weekends, a midweek overnight, or longer blocks of time in school holidays, although some families agree more flexible split parenting arrangements. In some cases one parent is the resident parent and the other has more limited visits. Many separating parents will often be able to put aside their personal differences and will be able to agree child contact arrangements between themselves without the need for court involvement. Understanding the typical options can help parents make workable agreements that support the child’s welfare and reduce the risk of conflict or court disputes. A 2-2-5-5 pattern is one example used where parents communicate well and need a flexible shared residence schedule.
This page describes the law of England and Wales. Last reviewed August 2026
What are typical child contact arrangements which are commonly used?
There are many different types of contact. The type of child contact arrangements you agree with your child’s other parent can change over time and will vary depending on individual family circumstances and needs of children. Typical child contact arrangements can be for short periods of time such as a few hours, or it can be for days or weeks at a time.
Many children stay overnight with their non-resident parent on a regular basis whilst others see their children for a shorter period of the day or have regular weekend contact, and these parenting arrangements should reflect the child’s age and normal routine. Most parents will be able to create child contact arrangements between themselves which will assist in reducing legal fees and expenses, although what is practical may differ where there is a significant distance and one parent lives further away, making regular in person contact harder. In those cases, long distance arrangements may rely more on indirect contact such as video calls between visits.
A good parenting plan can help set clear expectations, especially for younger children, older children and very young children, and it should also cover school arrangements, holidays, communication and what happens if a child is ill. Good quality communication, including listening to each other’s perspectives, helps separated parents review arrangements every 6 months as children grow.
How can typical child contact arrangements work during term time?
Many non-resident parents often question how can typical child contact arrangements work during term time? Parents often feel that during term time contact maybe restricted due to the child attending school, after school clubs, carrying out extra-curricular activities and sleeping early. Typical child contact arrangements during term time can vary. This might be an arrangement whereby the non-resident parent has contact on alternate weekends with overnight stay perhaps an evening each week. If the non-resident parent has an evening contact they will usually collect the child from school and depending on whether they have overnight contact will be responsible for dropping the child off to school.
If this is not practical for parents due to work commitments, then parents usually agree on regular weekend contact during term time to allow the non-resident parent to spend time with their children. When planning holiday time, it also helps to agree dates for school breaks, bank holidays and religious holidays in advance. Parents may also need to discuss childcare with a former partner and whether family members or extended family members will help with care or special occasions. Flexible holiday arrangements should stay focused on the child’s interests and what supports the child’s life, especially where travel or family events involve other family members.
Many parents find it helpful to record what they agree in a written parenting plan covering living arrangements, term-time and holiday time, handovers and communication. Cafcass publishes a free parenting plan template that parents can complete together.
What are typical child contact arrangements during seasonal holidays?
Seasonal holidays can often be an exciting and difficult time for separating parents. It is important that parents work together to plan the child contact arrangements to take place during seasonal holidays. Direct Contact involves face-to-face time between the child and the non-resident parent, such as spending festive days at one home or the other. If children cannot be with the other parent in person, Indirect Contact includes communication without physical visits, and phone calls or video calls can help maintain the relationship. It is usually helpful to make a list of all the school holiday dates and how much childcare is needed so that your former partner and family can understand the situation, especially if you work to ensure you are free for your child contact. Spread out your days together over the school holidays so both parents have a chance to spend quality time with children, and celebrating on a different day can be useful where distance or plans make same-day contact difficult. If a parent is planning to take their children away during the seasonal holidays it is beneficial to discuss plans with your former partner early and reach an agreement to avoid any issues later on.
Child Contact during festive holidays
Contact during festive holidays can be quite emotional as one parent may not have contact during Christmas, Easter or special days such as Father’s Day, Mother’s Day and birthdays. Children could spend the main festival day or birthday at one home one year and at the other parent’s home the following year, alternating each year. If such an arrangement is not possible children can have more than one festive holiday by spending a different day to allow both parents and children to celebrate together. Taking a child abroad normally needs the consent of everyone with parental responsibility, or the permission of the court — taking a child out of the UK without the right consent can amount to child abduction. One exception applies: if a child arrangements order says the child lives with you, you can usually take them abroad for up to 28 days without separate consent, unless a court order says otherwise. It is sensible to get consent in writing and share travel dates and details early.
Consult with a family lawyer for advice
Contact our family law specialists on 0330 094 5880 or let us call you back to discuss child arrangements and the options open to you, including where parents cannot reach agreement between themselves. If you cannot agree arrangements between yourselves, family mediation is usually the next step. Before applying to court for a child arrangements order you will normally need to attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM), unless an exemption applies. If court proceedings are needed, the child’s welfare is the court’s paramount consideration, and the court will consider non-court options at every stage.
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