Your child arrangements aren't working

Summary

If your partner makes you feel anxious or threatened, you should get help. If you’re a woman affected by domestic abuse, you can call Refuge or Women's Aid on 0808 2000 247 at any time. If you're a man affected by domestic abuse you can call Men's Advice Line on 0808 801 0327 between 10am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. If you’re unsure about what to do next, talk to an adviser. Before you get anyone else involved, it’s worth talking about what’s not working. Look back at what you originally agreed. Try to make some changes to the things that aren't working. * change when and where you see your children * get someone you trust involved, such as a grandparent or a friend you both know, to help arrange when and where you see your children The Ministry of Justice has a guide to sorting out child arrangements that might help if you and your ex-partner are struggling to make your agreement work. If you’re having trouble making the contact arrangements, using a child contact centre might help. A child contact centre is a safe place where your child and your ex-partner can meet or have ‘contact’. This might help if you’re struggling to communicate with your ex-partner or you don’t want to see.

Key information

• •change when and where you see your children
• •get someone you trust involved, such as a grandparent or a friend you both know, to help arrange when and where you see your children
• •help with handover arrangements so you don’t need to see your ex-partner
• •see and hear your child during the contact session to make sure they’re safe - this is called ‘supervised contact’
• •give you a safe space for your child and ex-partner to meet - this is called ‘supported contact’
• •who your children live with and where
• •when and how your children will see both parents
• •who else your children will see, for example family friends and relatives
• •your ex-partner hasn’t returned your child when they should have
• •If your partner makes you feel anxious or threatened, you should get help.
• •If you’re a woman affected by domestic abuse, you can call Refuge or Women's Aid on 0808 2000 247 at any time.
• •If you're a man affected by domestic abuse you can call Men's Advice Line on 0808 801 0327 between 10am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Practical guidance

• •Source: [Your child arrangements aren't working](https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/family/making-agreements-about-your-children/your-child-arrangements-arent-working/)

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