Parenting Plan Cafcass: Official Template Guide

What is a Cafcass Parenting Plan?

A Cafcass parenting plan is a written agreement between separated parents that sets out how they will care for their children. Cafcass (the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service) provides a free template to help parents create comprehensive, child-focused arrangements.

The parenting plan Cafcass template is designed to help you think through all the important decisions about your children's lives, including:

• Where your children will live
• How time will be shared between parents
• Holiday and special occasion arrangements
• How you will communicate as co-parents
• How important decisions will be made

According to Cafcass guidance, a good parenting plan puts children at the centre and helps reduce conflict between parents.

Why Use the Cafcass Parenting Plan Template?

The Cafcass parenting plan template is widely respected by family courts, mediators, and solicitors across the UK. Here is why it is so valuable:

Benefits of the Cafcass Parenting Plan

• Free to use — No cost to download from the official Cafcass website
• Comprehensive — Covers all the key areas you need to consider
• Child-focused — Designed with children's welfare as the priority
• Court-recognised — Judges and Cafcass officers know and trust this format
• Flexible — Can be adapted to your family's specific needs
• Neutral — Created by an impartial government agency

Where to Get the Cafcass Parenting Plan Template

The official Cafcass parenting plan template is available free on the Cafcass website:

Official download: Cafcass Parenting Plan

The template is available as a PDF that you can:

• Complete digitally on your computer
• Print and fill in by hand
• Use as a guide during mediation discussions

What Does the Cafcass Parenting Plan Template Include?

The parenting plan template Cafcass provides is thoughtfully structured to cover all aspects of co-parenting. Let us walk through each section:

Section 1: About Your Children

This section of the Cafcass parenting plan captures:

• Children's names and ages
• Their current living arrangements
• Schools they attend
• Any special needs or considerations
• Their interests and activities

Section 2: Living Arrangements in Your Parenting Plan Cafcass

The parenting plan Cafcass template asks you to specify:

• Where children will primarily live
• The regular weekly schedule
• Overnight arrangements
• Travel and handover arrangements

As Gov.uk explains, there is no "standard" arrangement—what matters is what works best for your children.

Section 3: Holiday and Special Occasions

Your Cafcass parenting plan should detail:

School Holidays

• How half-terms will be shared
• Summer holiday arrangements
• Easter and Christmas plans

Special Days

• Children's birthdays
• Parents' birthdays
• Mother's Day and Father's Day
• Religious or cultural celebrations
• Family events (weddings, reunions)

Section 4: Communication Arrangements

The parenting plan template Cafcass includes:

• How children will stay in touch with the parent they are not with (calls, video chats)
• Rules about phone and device use
• How parents will communicate with each other
• Emergency contact arrangements

Consider using a co-parenting app to manage communication effectively.

Section 5: Education and Healthcare

This important section of your Cafcass parenting plan covers:

Education

• School choice decisions
• Parents' evenings and school events
• Homework support
• Extra-curricular activities

Healthcare

• GP and dentist appointments
• How health decisions are made
• Sharing medical information
• Emergency situations

Section 6: Decision-Making in Your Parenting Plan Cafcass

The parenting plan Cafcass template helps you agree:

• Which decisions need both parents' input
• Which decisions the day-to-day parent can make alone
• How you will handle disagreements
• When to involve mediation

Section 7: New Partners and Family Members

Your Cafcass parenting plan can address:

• When and how new partners are introduced
• Overnight stays with new partners
• Role of grandparents and extended family
• Step-siblings and blended family considerations

For information about grandparents' involvement, see our guide to grandparents rights.

How to Create Your Cafcass Parenting Plan

Is a Cafcass Parenting Plan Legally Binding?

No, a parenting plan Cafcass template creates a voluntary agreement—it is not automatically legally binding. However, this does not mean it lacks value.

Why Parenting Plans Still Matter

• Shows commitment — Demonstrates you are focused on your children
• Provides clarity — Reduces misunderstandings and conflict
• Court evidence — Can be shown to judges as evidence of arrangements
• Cafcass reference — Officers may refer to it when making recommendations
• Foundation for consent orders — Can be converted to a legally binding order

Making Your Parenting Plan Legally Binding

If you want your Cafcass parenting plan to be enforceable, you can:

1. Apply for a Child Arrangements Order — Submit a C100 form to family court
2. Convert to a Consent Order — Have a solicitor draft it as a consent order that a judge approves

According to Gov.uk, if you agree arrangements, you can ask the court to make them into a consent order without a full hearing.

How Cafcass Uses Parenting Plans

If your case goes to family court, Cafcass becomes involved to advise the court on what is best for your children. Here is how they use parenting plans Cafcass style:

Cafcass Safeguarding Checks

When a C100 application is made, Cafcass conducts safeguarding checks on both parents. They will ask about any existing Cafcass parenting plan or agreements.

Cafcass Reports

If ordered by the court, a Cafcass officer (called a Family Court Adviser) may prepare a Section 7 report. Having a thoughtful parenting plan Cafcass template completed shows you have considered your children's needs carefully.

Cafcass Recommendations

Cafcass makes recommendations to the judge based on the children's welfare. A well-prepared parenting plan template Cafcass demonstrates child-focused thinking, which is viewed positively.

Cafcass Parenting Plan Example: What Good Looks Like

What makes an effective Cafcass parenting plan example? Here are the key characteristics:

Signs of a Strong Parenting Plan Cafcass Style

• Child-centred language — Focuses on what children need, not what parents want
• Specific details — Clear times, dates, and arrangements
• Flexibility built in — Acknowledges things may need to change
• Both parents' input — Clearly a joint effort
• Age-appropriate — Arrangements suit the children's ages
• Practical — Can actually be implemented in real life

Signs of a Weak Parenting Plan

• Vague arrangements ("regular contact" without specifics)
• One-sided (only reflects one parent's wishes)
• Rigid (no room for life's realities)
• Adult-focused (about parents' preferences, not children's needs)
• Unrealistic (ignores practical constraints)

Parenting Plan Cafcass vs Other Templates

| Aspect | Cafcass Parenting Plan | Mediator Template | Solicitor Drafted | |--------|----------------------|-------------------|------------------| | Cost | Free | Included in mediation | £200-£500 | | Comprehensiveness | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | | Court recognition | High | High | High | | Legal status | Not binding | Not binding | Not binding (unless consent order) | | Customisation | Good | Very good | Excellent | | Best for | DIY approach | Mediated agreements | Complex situations |

Using Your Parenting Plan Cafcass in Mediation

Family mediation is often the ideal setting to develop your Cafcass parenting plan. Here is how it works:

Before Mediation

• Download and review the Cafcass parenting plan template
• Note your thoughts on each section
• Identify areas you are flexible on and areas that matter most
• Prepare to listen as well as share

During Mediation

Your mediator will help you work through arrangements systematically. The parenting plan Cafcass template provides a helpful structure, and many mediators use it or similar frameworks.

After Mediation

You will receive a completed parenting plan as part of your Memorandum of Understanding. This can be:

• Used as your working agreement
• Shown to Cafcass if needed
• Converted to a consent order for legal protection

The Family Mediation Council can help you find an accredited mediator.

Tips for a Successful Cafcass Parenting Plan

1. Put children first — Every decision should be about what is best for them
2. Be specific — Clear arrangements prevent arguments later
3. Stay flexible — Life changes; your plan may need to adapt
4. Communicate kindly — Even if your relationship with your ex is difficult
5. Review regularly — Children's needs change as they grow
6. Consider using apps — Co-parenting apps help implement your plan
7. Seek help when stuck — Mediators can help you find solutions
8. Think long-term — Your parenting relationship lasts until children are adults

FAQs About Parenting Plan Cafcass

Can I use a Cafcass parenting plan if we are not married?

Absolutely. The Cafcass parenting plan is for all separated parents, whether married, in a civil partnership, or cohabiting. Your marital status does not affect how you make arrangements for your children.

What if my ex will not agree to a parenting plan?

If your co-parent will not engage, first try family mediation where a neutral third party can help. If that fails and you cannot agree arrangements, you may need to apply to court using a C100 form. However, courts always prefer parents to agree if possible.

How often should I update our Cafcass parenting plan?

Review your parenting plan Cafcass at least annually, and whenever circumstances change significantly—such as children changing schools, parents moving, or children reaching new developmental stages. Many parents review before each school year.

Will Cafcass give us a parenting plan?

Cafcass provides the template for you to complete yourselves. They do not fill it in for you. However, if your case goes to court, a Cafcass officer may help facilitate discussions about arrangements as part of their work.

Can children refuse to follow the parenting plan?

As children get older (especially teenagers), they may have stronger views. While a Cafcass parenting plan is an agreement between parents, forcing unwilling older children to comply can be counterproductive. If this happens, consider returning to mediation to discuss updated arrangements.

Summary

The Cafcass parenting plan template is a valuable, free resource for separated parents in the UK. Created by the official children's court advisory service, it provides a comprehensive framework for agreeing child-focused arrangements.

Key points to remember:

• The parenting plan Cafcass template is free from cafcass.gov.uk
• It is not legally binding but is respected by courts
• Using it shows you are child-focused and thoughtful
• It can be developed in family mediation
• You can make it legally binding via a consent order

Most importantly, a good parenting plan helps your children feel secure and loved by both parents during a difficult time.

Next Steps

1. Download the Cafcass parenting plan template
2. Read our general parenting plan guide for more detail
3. Explore family mediation to help reach agreement
4. Learn about the C100 form if court is needed
5. Consider co-parenting apps to implement your plan

Official Resources

Cafcass Resources

• Cafcass Parenting Plan Template - Official free template
• Our Child's Plan Tool - Interactive planning tool
• What Cafcass Does - Understanding the service
• Cafcass Private Law Proceedings - Court involvement explained
• Working with Cafcass - What to expect

Government Guidance

• Gov.uk Looking After Children - Official arrangements guidance
• Child Arrangements Order - Making agreements binding
• Parental Responsibility - Legal rights explained
• Children Act 1989 - Welfare Checklist legislation
• Family Procedure Rules - Court procedures

Mediation & Resolution

• Family Mediation Council - Find accredited mediators
• National Family Mediation - Mediation services
• Resolution - Family law professionals
• Family Mediation Voucher Scheme - £500 funding
• Relate - Family counselling

Legal Aid & Costs

• Legal Aid Eligibility - Check if you qualify
• Civil Legal Advice - Free legal help
• Family Court Fees - Current court costs

Children's Wellbeing

• NSPCC Separation Support - Protecting children
• Young Minds - Children's mental health
• Childline - Support for children
• Family Lives - Parenting support

Professional Bodies

• The Law Society - Find family solicitors
• Solicitors Regulation Authority - Check solicitor credentials
• Bar Council - Find barristers