parental responsibility
Last reviewed 01/2018
The Children Act alters the emphasis for parents from parental rights to parental responsibility, which includes rights, duties, responsibilities and authority a parent has with respect to a child.
A mother automatically has parental responsibilty.
A father gains parental responsiblity:
- by being married to the mother, before or after the birth of the child
- by formal agreement with the mother
- by application in a parental responsibility order
- by gaining a residence order or appointment as a guardian
- also from December 2003, an unmarried father may also gain parental responsibility if both parents register the birth of their child (1)
Others can gain parental responsibilty:
- by gaining a residence order or appointment as a guardian
- by adoption
Once granted, parental resposibility can only be removed by a court:
- by application from another person with parental responsibilty
- by application by the child
Reference:
- PRLEAF1 - PPSPG/1003/8753