Enforcement of child arrangements orders — the honest, detailed route

REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-08-28

When contact just… doesn't happen

You have a child arrangements order. The other parent repeatedly cancels, refuses handovers, or undermines contact. Enforcement is possible — but it's the court of last practical resort, and judges treat it carefully. Here's the full picture so you can decide well.

Step 0: Build the record (from day one)

A spreadsheet: date, promised vs actual, reason given, screenshots. Missed contact is only "breach" if the order required it — read your order. If the order says contact "as agreed", you'll need to show the refusals were unreasonable, not just changes.

Step 1: Proportionate responses first

Factual, non-escalatory messages — "Today's handover was missed; is Saturday 10am workable?" Documents reasonableness. Never vent on social media (contempt risk + welfare optics)
Mediation — if safe, a mediator may fix a broken pattern faster than court
Application to vary — if the order no longer works, varying may be better than enforcing

Step 2: The enforcement application

Form C79 (family enforcement). The court lists a hearing; both parties explain. The court can:

Vary the order (different days/times/handover point)
Order unpaid work (up to 100–200 hours) on the breaching party
Direct attendance at a SPIP (see our programmes guide)
Order costs for unreasonable breach
Financial compensation — the court CAN order payment for missed contact costs (travel, prepaid events) where breach was deliberate
Contempt/committal — the ultimate sanction (imprisonment) for serious, deliberate breach of an order with a penal notice. Courts use it sparingly and require very high proof
Transfer the case — in severe persistent breach the child's living arrangements can be revisited (rare)

What courts think (the honest part)

Judges see enforcement as about the child, not the parent's grievance. If the child is settled and the breach is "soft" (the child resists), courts prefer therapeutic/SPIP routes. If breach is deliberate alienating conduct, courts escalate. Your case must fit one of those stories with evidence.

Alternatives that sometimes work better

Family Assistance Order (short-term CAFCASS support)
Child-inclusive mediation — the child's own voice can unlock stalemate
Activity conditions — the order can require attendance at programmes before contact resumes

Official links

https://www.gov.uk/looking-after-children-divorce (compliance section)
https://www.cafcass.gov.uk (SPIP and support)

This page is general information, not legal advice. YourFamilyCase.co.uk is an independent information directory and is not affiliated with HMCTS or gov.uk.

Content verified against the official HMCTS court directory, gov.uk forms and fees pages, and the professional body registers (SRA, FMC, Bar Council). Last reviewed September 2026.