We can help with a Parenting Plan

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Private Children’s Contact Services can assist with structure and practical arrangements, especially where visits are supervised, but they do not provide legal advice.

Our services help outline:
Changeover arrangements
Supervised time schedules
Communication protocols
Safety considerations 

Living arrangements
Time spent with each parent
School holidays and special days
Communication with the child
A Supervised Visitations Schedule Changeoverlocations
Decision-making (education, health, religion)
How future disputes will be resolved

A Parenting Plan is not legally enforceable like Court Orders, but it can be used as evidence if matters later go to court. Many families later formalise the same terms as Consent Orders.

A Parenting Plan is a practical, child-focused agreement that helps separated parents manage arrangements clearly and cooperatively—without needing to go straight to Court Orders.

1. Keeps the Focus on the Child

A Parenting Plan is designed around the best interests of the child, not the dispute between parents.

It helps ensure children experience:

Stability and routine

Reduced exposure to conflict

Ongoing relationships with both parents (where safe)

2. Provides Clear Structure and Expectations

It sets out agreed details such as:

When children spend time with each parent

Changeover arrangements

School holidays and special occasions

Communication methods

This reduces confusion and prevents misunderstandings.

3. Helps Reduce Conflict Between Parents

Because arrangements are written down:

There is less need for repeated negotiation

Parents can rely on the agreed schedule

Communication becomes more business-like and child-focused

This is especially helpful in high-conflict matters.

4. Flexible and Easier to Update Than Court Orders

Unlike Court Orders, a Parenting Plan:

Can be changed anytime by agreement

Can evolve as children grow or circumstances change

Allows parents to trial arrangements before formalising them

5. Encourages Cooperative Co-Parenting

It promotes shared responsibility by setting expectations about:

Decision-making (education, health, activities)

Respectful communication

Supporting the child’s relationship with the other parent

6. Useful Where Supervised Contact Is Required

In matters involving supported or supervised time, a Parenting Plan can:

Clearly outline the role of the contact service

Provide safe, structured visitation arrangements

Reduce direct interaction between parents

Support gradual progression where appropriate

7. Can Be Used as Evidence if Needed Later

While not legally enforceable, a Parenting Plan:

Shows the Court that parents attempted cooperative arrangements

May form the basis for future Consent Orders if formalisation is needed

8. Faster and More Cost-Effective Than Litigation

It avoids:

Lengthy court processes

Significant legal costs

Delays that can increase stress for children

✅ In short: A Parenting Plan provides clarity, stability, and a child-centred roadmap—without the rigidity of court proceedings.

Coffs Coast Contact Services is able to assist parents to develop a Parenting Plan only where both parties are engaging voluntarily and have not commenced legal proceedings.

If either parent has formally engaged a solicitor, or legal proceedings are underway or anticipated, our service cannot facilitate or draft a Parenting Plan. In these circumstances, all parenting arrangements must be negotiated through the respective legal representatives or the Family Dispute Resolution process as advised by those representatives.

This ensures that our service maintains neutrality and does not interfere with legal processes already in progress.

We are still able to provide supervised contact services where appropriate and where this has been agreed to by the parties and/or their legal representatives.