Mothers and Parental Responsibility
Every mother automatically has parental responsibility for her child from birth. This cannot be removed except in the most exceptional circumstances. Parental responsibility gives a mother the right to make decisions about a child's upbringing, education, medical treatment, and religion.
Child Arrangements After Separation
The complete step-by-step guide: Child Arrangements Complete LiP Guide. Everything you need to act today, not next week.
Separation does not affect a mother's parental responsibility. If both parents have parental responsibility, major decisions about the child should be made jointly. Day-to-day decisions can be made by whichever parent the child is with at the time.
If You Cannot Agree
If you and the father cannot agree on arrangements, either of you can apply to the family court for a child arrangements order. The court will consider what is in the child's best interests, applying the welfare checklist under the Children Act 1989.
Domestic Abuse and Child Arrangements
If there has been domestic abuse, the court will take this seriously. You can apply for a non-molestation order to protect yourself and for a child arrangements order that reflects the risk the father poses. The court can order that contact takes place in a contact centre, is supervised, or does not take place at all if the risk is sufficiently serious.
Relocation
If you want to move abroad with your child, you need either the father's written consent or a court order permitting the move. Taking a child out of the jurisdiction without consent or a court order is a criminal offence under the Child Abduction Act 1984.