What is Parental Responsibility?

The term parental responsibility is used a lot in family court. Parental responsibility is the legal term for the rights, duties, powers and responsibilities a parent has for their child.

All birth mothers automatically have parental responsibility, as do fathers married to the mother at the time of birth or named on the birth certificate.  It can also be granted to others—like step-parents or guardians—by agreement or through the courts.

Having parental responsibility gives you a say in the major decisions in your child’s life, including choosing or changing their name, deciding where they go to school and giving permission for medical treatment.

It does not mean that both parents must agree on every single decision.

A parent looking after the child day-to-day can usually make routine decisions (e.g. what the child eats, wears, or when they go to bed) without needing the other parent's approval.

So, while parental responsibility means having a say in your child’s life, it doesn’t give you control over the other parent’s day-to-day parenting.

Knowing what parental responsibility means helps reduce conflict and confusion—especially after separation. It’s about making sure key decisions are made in the child’s best interests, while also respecting each parent’s ability to manage daily life when the child is with them.

Many of the people I work with contact me before they have made any firm decisions about their future. Whether you are considering separation, have recently separated, or simply want to understand your options, I offer a free initial conversation to discuss your circumstances and how I may be able to help. You can contact me by telephone - 0777 589 4910, email - polly@pollyjackman.com or by using the contact form on this website.

Photo by Juliane Liebermann on Unsplash