Plans and arrangements · England and Wales

Build a first parenting-plan draft.

A calm place to turn practical ideas into a child-focused, printable draft. Work through it alone or together, keep only what fits your family, then save or print your own copy.

By Joe M. · Founder of ParentGlow Last reviewed 6 October 2026 · 6 min read

Private by design

Your words stay in this browser.

Nothing you type is sent to ParentGlow or saved here. The builder creates a draft on this page only. When you are ready, print it or save it as a PDF from your browser.

GOV.UK says parents can write down what they agree in a child arrangements plan. Its service covers when and where children spend time with each parent and other contact. Cafcass's Our Child's Plan is another free, interactive option.

01Children and the plan date

For example: names or initials, and the date this draft is made.

02What helps the children feel settled?

Their routines, school, activities, important people, needs or wishes to keep in mind.

03Weekly time and other contact

When and where the children spend time with each parent, plus calls or messages if you both want to include them.

04Handovers

The day, time and place, who collects, and what happens if school is closed or plans change.

05School, health and everyday information

How routine school and health information is shared, appointments, medication, clubs and anything that moves between homes.

06School holidays and special days

How school breaks, birthdays, festivals and other important dates are planned, and when the normal pattern resumes.

07Communication, changes and review

How you will raise a proposed change, record an agreement and choose a calm time to review the plan.

What this draft is, and is not

A starting point, not a court order.

A child arrangements plan is a voluntary agreement. GOV.UK says it is not legally binding, either parent can suggest changes, and parents should not use its service where a court order already sets out arrangements they must follow.

If you agree a plan, make sure both parents have the same version and record any later agreement clearly. If you need advice about formalising an agreement or changing an existing order, GOV.UK says a legal adviser can explain the available options. This page does not give personal legal advice.

For a longer blank template, use our printable parenting plan. For practical patterns, handovers and review points, see parenting plan examples for UK families.

Sources

Checked against primary sources.

GOV.UK, Make a child arrangements plan, read 6 October 2026.
Cafcass, How an Our Child's Plan can help, read 6 October 2026.
Children Act 1989, section 1, read 6 October 2026.

Common questions

Parenting plan builder questions.

Is this parenting plan builder legally binding?

No. This builder creates a voluntary first draft for parents in England and Wales. GOV.UK says a child arrangements plan is not legally binding, and either parent can suggest changes. A court consent order is a separate process.

Is anything I type into the builder saved?

No. The builder works in this browser only. It does not create an account or send the text of your draft to ParentGlow. Use the print button to save or print the draft yourself.

What should a parenting plan cover?

GOV.UK says a child arrangements plan can cover when and where children spend time with each parent and other contact. Cafcass's Our Child's Plan also covers practical decisions including living arrangements, education, health care and communication.

Should I use this builder if I feel pressured or unsafe?

No. GOV.UK says not to use its child arrangements plan service if you feel pressured or intimidated. If you or a child are at immediate risk of harm, call 999. The safety information on this page has support contacts.