Partner, Family Law
A Prohibited Steps Order (PSO) is a type of Court Order used by one parent to stop another parent from making certain decisions about their child’s upbringing.
A Prohibited Steps Order could prevent:
Prohibited Steps Orders have a large impact on the way in which a parent can exercise their Parental Responsibility, and for that reason they are not made lightly. A Prohibited Steps Order normally lasts until the child turns 16, but can be for a set amount of time, or until the child is 18 in limited circumstances.
Although a Prohibited Steps Order is used for a specific reason, it is different to a Specific Issue Order – a Prohibited Steps Order is used to prevent a parent from taking actions involving a child, rather than giving them permission to do so.
For initial advice get in touch with our Child Law Solicitors.
We're rated‘Excellent’It is not unusual for separated parents to want to move to another town, city or even country. New job prospects, a new partner, or returning to live closer to other family members are some common reasons why parents might move away.
If you have taken your dispute to Court, the Court will explore why the parent is planning on moving the child as well as the arrangements for the move and beyond, to assess if this is in the child’s best interests. The Court assesses this by carefully applying all the factors set out in what is known as the Welfare Checklist.
If your ex-partner can satisfy the Court that the move will improve your child’s quality of life then the Court may decide in their favour.
The Court considers that a child has a right to have a relationship with both parents if it is safe to do so. , In most cases, a child will benefit from having meaningful contact with both parents and shared parenting is the most common end goal in Court Proceedings. So if the move prevents you from seeing your child or impacts their relationship with you in some way, this will be taken into consideration.
The Court may also ask a CAFCASS Advisor to provide a written recommendation about whether the move is right for the child, or to act as the child’s voice in the Court. The child’s thoughts and feelings may be considered by the Court before they make a final decision. A Family and Children Law Solicitor can advise you further on the process, whether you are the parent wishing to relocate or the one being left behind.
There are a number of ways that separated parents can try to resolve child contact disputes. If the dispute can be resolved privately between the parents, then this is highly recommended as the best way forward.
A Special Guardianship Order places your child with another person who is not their parent. This person then has to care for your child's needs and wellbeing. It also gives Parental Responsibility to the guardian without taking away your Parental Responsibility.
There’s no single definition of parental alienation, but it’s often characterised by the resident parent psychologically manipulating a child against the other parent. That way, the child aligns themselves with one parent’s views and takes their side.
GOV.UK. (2023). Types of court order: Looking after children when you divorce. [Online]. Available at: [https://www.gov.uk/looking-after-children-divorce/types-of-court-order].
In Court. (2023). Prohibited Steps Orders Explained. [Online]. Available at: [https://www.incourt.co.uk/post/prohibited-steps-orders].
Lorraine is a Partner at Simpson Millar, specialising in Family Law for over 20 years.
She handles middle to high net value cases, including pension claims and complex trust, and also advises on pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements.
Lorraine has unrivalled knowledge of public sector pensions, in particular police pensions, having advised police officers on pension claims for two decades.
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