A Child Arrangement Order or Child Arrangements Order (CAO) UK Government, Making child arrangements if you divorce or separate, accessed 12 March 2021 is an agreement under English family law concerning where a child lives and whom a child can have contact with. CAOs are usually sought following the breakdown of a relationship and replace 'contact orders' and 'residence orders'. Their legal basis is under section 8 of the Children Act 1989.
Agreement partner may be able to avoid going to court if you agree on: where the children will live how much time they’ll spend with each parent how you’ll financially support your children
This is called making child arrangements (sometimes known as ‘child custody’ or ‘child contact’).
See also Prohibited Steps Order Parental Responsibility Order
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