What Is a Family Assistance Order? A Guide for Parents
Updated: Oct 23
Last updated: 23 October 2026 · Written by the family law paralegal team at Court Help Limited
In short: A family assistance order is a short-term order under section 16 of the Children Act 1989. It asks Cafcass (Cafcass Cymru in Wales) or a local authority to make an officer available to advise, assist and, where appropriate, befriend named family members, usually to help child arrangements work after a court case. Everyone named, apart from the child, must agree, and it lasts up to 12 months.
Key facts about family assistance orders
Topic | The position in England and Wales |
The law | Children Act 1989, section 16 |
Who provides the officer | Cafcass, Cafcass Cymru (Wales) or a local authority |
Who can be named | A parent, guardian or special guardian; anyone the child lives with or who is named in a child arrangements order; the child (s16(2)) |
Consent | Every person named, other than the child, must agree (s16(3)) |
How long it lasts | Up to 12 months, or a shorter period set by the court (s16(5)) |
How it's made | By the court during family proceedings, after getting an officer's opinion (Practice Direction 12M) |
Can you apply on its own? | No. You can ask the court to consider one during existing proceedings |
What is a family assistance order?
A family assistance order (FAO) is a short-term order the family court can make under section 16 of the Children Act 1989. It requires an officer to be made available to advise, assist and, where appropriate, befriend the people named in the order.
The officer comes from Cafcass in England, Cafcass Cymru in Wales, or a local authority. The aim is to give a family extra, practical support during a difficult time after separation or divorce, most often to help contact between a child and a parent get going and keep going.
When is a family assistance order made?
A family assistance order is usually made towards the end of private law proceedings about a child, when the court thinks a family needs some focused, short-term help to make arrangements work. It's often recommended in a section 7 report.
An FAO can help where:
contact between a child and a parent has stalled or broken down, and the parents need support to rebuild it
a child arrangements order has been made, but the family needs help putting it into practice
the child needs someone to talk to while new arrangements settle in
The officer works with the family, talks to the child, and helps everyone focus on what's practical.
For more about Cafcass and its role in family cases, see our guide on preparing for a Cafcass call.
How does the court decide whether an FAO is suitable?
Before making a family assistance order, the court must get an opinion from the appropriate officer on whether the order would be in the child's best interests and, if so, how it would work and how long it should last (Practice Direction 12M). The opinion can be given in person, in writing, or as part of a section 7 report. Everyone the court plans to name must have a chance to comment on it.
Things that usually point towards an FAO being suitable include:
it would improve the child's welfare and safety
the issues are clear, and there's a realistic, achievable goal
the adults named agree to the order and are willing to work with the officer
the parents can separate their own feelings from what the child needs
the practical benefits for the child can be identified
Who can be named in a family assistance order?
Under section 16(2) of the Children Act 1989, the people who can be named in a family assistance order are:
any parent, guardian or special guardian of the child
anyone the child lives with, or who is named in a child arrangements order as someone the child is to live with, spend time with or otherwise have contact with
the child
The Cafcass officer or local authority officer isn't "named" in this sense. They're the person made available to help the people who are named.
Does everyone have to agree to a family assistance order?
Yes. The court can't make a family assistance order without the consent of every person to be named in it, apart from the child (s16(3)). If a parent doesn't agree, the court can't make the order.
A local authority officer can only be required if the local authority agrees, or the child lives, or will live, in that authority's area (s16(7)).
Can I apply for a family assistance order?
You can't apply for a family assistance order on its own. The court makes an FAO during existing family proceedings, usually at the suggestion of Cafcass or the judge.
If you're already in proceedings, for example for a child arrangements order or an enforcement order, you can ask the court to consider making an FAO. You'd need to explain why short-term support would help your family. The court will still need everyone named to agree.
How long does a family assistance order last?
A family assistance order lasts 12 months from the day it's made, unless the court sets a shorter period (s16(5)). The order itself will say when it ends.
How does a family assistance order work in practice?
If a Cafcass officer or social worker already knows the family from earlier in the case, they'll often be the one appointed. A plan is usually drawn up so that everyone, including the court, knows what the FAO is for and what the officer will do.
An FAO can be made alongside a child arrangements order. Where it is, the court can direct the officer to advise and assist on establishing, improving and keeping up contact (s16(4A)). The court can also ask the officer to report back on how the child arrangements order is working, including whether it should be changed (s16(6)).
At the end of the order, the officer usually prepares a short written review of what happened during the order, which is shared with those named in it.
What helps a family assistance order work well?
A family assistance order tends to work best when:
there's a clear plan of action, shared with everyone involved and the court
it focuses on issues that have already been looked at, but where the family hasn't been able to move forward alone
any risks have been assessed and there's a plan to manage them
the parents support the arrangements in principle, but the child or family needs extra help to make them work
How we can help
Court Help Limited is a family law paralegal firm in England and Wales. We're not solicitors and we don't represent clients in court. We help people with the paperwork and preparation in children cases, for example:
preparing C100 applications for child arrangements orders
drafting statements, including setting out why an FAO might help
preparing applications for enforcement orders
organising evidence and preparing court bundles
You can read what our clients say in our Google reviews. To talk to us, email help@incourt.co.uk or use the contact form and one of the team will get back to you.
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Frequently asked questions
Who provides the support under a family assistance order?
An officer from Cafcass (Cafcass Cymru in Wales) or a local authority social worker. Their role is to advise, assist and, where appropriate, befriend the people named in the order.
Can a family assistance order be made without my agreement?
No. Every adult named in the order must agree to it. The child doesn't have to give consent.
How long does a family assistance order last?
Up to 12 months from the day it's made, or a shorter period if the court decides.
Can I apply for a family assistance order on its own?
No. It can only be made during existing family proceedings, but you can ask the court to consider one if you're already in proceedings.
Is a family assistance order the same as supervised contact?
No. An FAO provides an officer to support the family, which can include helping with contact. Supervised contact is a separate arrangement, usually at a contact centre. See our guide to supervised contact centres.
This article is general information about the law in England and Wales. It is not legal advice and should not be relied on as legal advice. Every case turns on its own facts, and court fees and procedures change, so check GOV.UK for the latest position. Court Help Limited is a family law paralegal firm, not a firm of solicitors, and does not represent clients in court.
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