Day-to-day care and contact (custody and access)
The Care of Children Act 2004 introduced changes to terms used around the custody and access of children. ‘Custody’ is now called ‘day-to-day care’, while ‘access’ is now called ‘contact’. These links help explain the changes to looking after children when parents have separated.
A collection of links to Government websites about what you need to know legally about custody and access when your relationship has broken down.
An introduction to the Care of Children Act 2004, guardianship, parents appointing new partners as guardians, parenting agreements, parenting orders, appearing in the Family Court, supervised contact, and breaches of parenting orders.
What to do first, understanding your own feelings, communicating with both children and ex-partners, and sorting things out for children when you can’t agree.
A programme that aims to help parents understand the impact of separation on their children and to help them support their children
Pamphlets from the Family Court website, about the Care of Children Act 2004, and issues around family separation.
