Calm, practical McKenzie Friend support for parents navigating child arrangements in England & Wales
Most parents assume they need a solicitor from day one — but in many Child Arrangements Order cases, what makes the biggest difference is not “knowing legal language”.
From experience, the real difficulty is usually:
- preparation
- strategy and structure
- emotional control under pressure
- presenting your position in a way the court and Cafcass can understand
- keeping everything child-focused and credible
That is exactly what this support is designed for.
What a Child Arrangements Order covers
A Child Arrangements Order (CAO) can set out:
- who a child lives with
- when and how a child spends time with each parent
- what type of contact happens (direct, indirect, supervised, remote/video)
CAO cases often involve:
- limited or stopped contact
- repeated conflict or communication breakdown
- safeguarding concerns
- allegations (sometimes disputed)
- parents feeling overwhelmed by forms, deadlines, and the tone of court correspondence
The key is to stay measured, consistent, and child-focused — even when the situation feels unfair.
What help can a McKenzie Friend provide in a CAO case?
A McKenzie Friend can support you by helping you prepare your case clearly and calmly, including:
- understanding the stages of a CAO case (and what the court is likely to expect next)
- making sense of Cafcass involvement (safeguarding calls, Section 7 reports)
- organising your documents and evidence so it is usable and court-appropriate
- drafting and structuring your written materials (e.g., position statements, timelines)
- preparing for hearings so you feel steadier and more confident on the day
- quiet support during hearings (note-taking, prompts, structure)
A McKenzie Friend does not provide formal legal advice and does not speak for you in court unless the judge gives permission.
If you want to understand the boundaries clearly, see:
👉What this support is — and is not.
How CAO support works in practice
This is not solicitor representation. It is practical, structured preparation for parents who are self-representing — by choice or necessity.
Before applying
Support may include:
- whether a CAO application is appropriate in your circumstances
- what MIAM usually involves and what exceptions may apply
- clarifying realistic goals and outcomes
- structuring your plan so it is proportionate and child-focused
C100 application support
Support may include:
- breaking the form into clear sections
- helping you write concerns in a calm, court-safe way
- avoiding wording that can unintentionally damage credibility
- making sure the application focuses on the child, not the conflict
Cafcass preparation
Support may include:
- what questions are commonly asked
- how answers are interpreted
- how to stay calm and consistent under pressure
- what to avoid saying when emotions are high
- how to prepare a simple “key points” structure for your call
Court preparation
Support may include:
- position statements (clear, short, judge-friendly structure)
- hearing preparation (what the hearing is for, what outcomes are realistic)
- understanding orders and next steps
- organising your evidence so it supports your position properly
Ongoing guidance
Support may include:
- dealing with high-conflict messaging without reactive replies
- keeping a consistent strategy across months
- preparing updates when circumstances change
- staying child-focused even when the other parent isn’t
- List
How this support compares (in CAO cases)
This is not about replacing solicitors. It is about helping parents who are self-representing to do so competently and calmly.
| Feature | Practical McKenzie Friend Support | Typical Solicitor Support |
|---|---|---|
| Cost structure | Agreed upfront, clear scope | Often hourly billing |
| Main focus | Preparation, structure, presentation | Legal advice & legal process |
| Cafcass preparation | Often detailed and structured | Can vary case-to-case |
| Emotional/practical support | Central to the approach | Usually not the focus |
| Position statements | Structured collaboratively | Often part of paid drafting |
| Flexibility | Tailored, practical steps | Process-driven |
Many parents choose a combination: some legal advice where needed, plus structured McKenzie Friend preparation and support.
Who this is suitable for
This support may be suitable if you:
- are applying for a Child Arrangements Order
- are responding to a CAO application
- have limited or no contact with your child
- are dealing with persistent conflict or communication breakdown
- are attending hearings without a solicitor
- want clearer structure and calmer preparation
You do not need legal knowledge — you need clarity and a plan.
Fees and approach
CAO cases vary widely, so fees are flexible and transparent.
- no hidden costs
- no pressure to commit
- free initial conversation
- support can be pay-as-you-go or stage-based
- remote or in-person support depending on location and urgency
👉Typical McKenzie Friend Fees — What’s Reasonable?
👉Fees & Areas Covered
Why this approach works in CAO cases
Family courts tend to respond best to parents who are:
- calm and consistent
- child-focused
- realistic and proportionate
- clear in what they are asking for
- organised in their written presentation
They tend to react poorly to:
- emotional arguments and long messages
- reactive accusations
- unstructured evidence dumps
- shifting positions and inconsistent statements
This support is designed around how CAO cases actually progress — and how credibility is built over time.
Next steps
If you are dealing with a Child Arrangements Order and want calm, practical support:
Phone: 07599 322717
Email: info@everymanjustice.co.uk