Waiting for a child arrangements case to progress can be distressing, especially when contact has reduced or stopped. You do not necessarily have to wait for a final order before spending time with your child again. Parents can agree safe interim arrangements, and the court can make an interim child arrangements order. However, contact is never automatic: the child’s welfare and safeguarding concerns come first.
The latest Ministry of Justice figures show that private-law children cases completed in 2025 took an average of 37 weeks from application to disposal. Cases completed between October and December 2025 averaged 35 weeks. These are national figures, so experiences in Greater Manchester and Cheshire may differ.
Why Cases Can Take Time
The Child Arrangements Programme aims for the First Hearing Dispute Resolution Appointment, or FHDRA, to take place during week 5 and no later than week 6 after an application is issued. Local listing pressure, service problems, safeguarding enquiries and case complexity can cause delays.
In 2025, neither party had legal representation in 47% of completed private-law cases, while both parties were represented in only 15%. Official figures do not establish that self-representation itself causes delay.
Where disputed allegations could affect the child’s welfare, the court may order a fact-finding hearing. It may also request a section 7 report from Cafcass or the local authority. There is no standard number of months that either step adds.
What May Happen to Contact While You Wait
At the FHDRA, the court considers Cafcass safeguarding information, identifies the issues and explores whether agreement is possible. It may approve an agreed plan, make an interim order or give directions for further evidence.
If safeguarding information is unavailable, the court should not generally make an interim contact order unless one is needed to protect the child. Where domestic abuse or another risk is alleged, the court must consider whether contact would expose the child or either parent to an unmanageable risk.
Options may include telephone or video contact, supported contact, or child supervised contact services in Manchester. Supervised child contact services in Manchester are intended to manage identified risks, not punish a parent. Understanding common misunderstandings about child arrangement services can help set realistic expectations.
Where Supervision Fits In
Families may arrange private child contact supervision voluntarily, or the court may direct it. This can be useful in high conflict parenting cases or when contact restarts after a long absence.
Any evidence from court ordered child contact services should be factual and limited to the provider’s role. Reports do not decide the case. The court considers them alongside other evidence. Read more about how reports from supervised contact are used in court decisions.
For professionals managing fixed deadlines, child supervised contact support for accountants in Manchester may provide workable session times.
Keeping Arrangements Stable
Keep communication child-focused, follow any existing order and record missed sessions accurately. After a long gap, supervised visitation may offer a gradual route back to direct time. Where safe, child arrangement services can work alongside mediation to help parents reach an interim agreement.
Further guidance includes an overview of child arrangement services for parents, support for separated parents, and information on understanding your responsibilities under a court ordered arrangement and what happens if a parent breaches an arrangement.
You can also read about court ordered child contact services for fathers, child arrangement services for mothers, court orders, supervised versus unsupervised child contact and the journey from court order to first visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Must I Wait for the Final Hearing?
No. Safe interim contact can be agreed or ordered, but the court may restrict or pause it where concerns require investigation.
Can Supervised Contact Speed Up the Case?
It does not change the court timetable. It may allow contact to begin safely while proceedings continue.
If you need to discuss a safe, child-focused arrangement during court delays, get in touch with our team for a confidential conversation.