If you are dealing with a difficult co-parenting situation, you might already be wondering how to stop a decision that could put your child at risk. Here’s the thing. When a parent threatens to take a child abroad, change their school without agreement, or make a significant decision behind your back, you need a clear legal safeguard. That safeguard is a prohibited steps order.
This guide walks you through the prohibited steps order, how it works under the Children Act 1989, when you can apply, how urgent cases are handled, and what the court looks at before making a decision. The aim is strong, practical information so you know what to expect before you begin an application to the court.
What Is a Prohibited Steps Order?
A prohibited steps order is a type of court order made under section 8 of the Children Act 1989. It prevents a parent or anyone with parental responsibilities from taking a specific action relating to a child. The idea is straightforward. The order stops something from happening rather than forcing someone to do something.
You might hear people call it a prohibitive steps order or even confuse it with a specific issue order, but each serves a different purpose. A prohibited steps order (PSO) blocks an action. A specific issue order resolves a disagreement by deciding what will happen.
Typical examples include stopping a parent from:
- Removing the child from the UK
- Changing a school or nursery without agreement
- Changing the child’s surname
- Taking the child for medical procedures or treatments without permission from the court
- Deciding where the child lives without the other parent’s involvement
In short, a prohibited steps order prevents actions that could affect the child’s upbringing or their physical and emotional welfare.
When Would You Apply for a Prohibited Steps Order?
Parents usually apply for a prohibited order when trust has broken down, communication is limited, or a genuine risk has appeared. You can make an application for a prohibited order whether you are separated, divorcing, or were never in a relationship.
The court deals with a wide range of scenarios, including domestic violence, sudden relocations, disputes around medical treatment, or disagreements about daily decisions about a child.
Recent data from the Ministry of Justice shows that applications relating to child arrangements and welfare have risen steadily in the past three years. In 2024 alone, over 55,000 private family law applications were made across England and Wales.
This rise reflects how common disputes have become and how straightforward legal protections matter.
How to Apply for a Prohibited Steps Order?
The process is structured but manageable when you understand it.
Step 1. File a C100 Form
You begin with a C100 form, which triggers the prohibited steps order application. The form asks you to set out the action you want restricted and why. You also need to show whether mediation was attempted. If there is evidence of domestic violence, you are exempt.
Step 2. Attend Mediation Unless You Are Exempt
Most applications require a MIAM. Cases involving prohibited steps, order domestic violence, or urgent safeguarding issues usually skip this stage.
Step 3. First Court Hearing
Once the application is filed, the court lists a first dispute resolution hearing. This is where the judge considers the initial information, identifies risks, and decides whether directions or temporary protective orders are needed.
Step 4. The Court Applies the Welfare Checklist
Every decision is based on the child’s best interest and the welfare of the child. Judges follow the welfare checklist, which considers the child’s needs, risks, wishes ,and long-term stability.
Step 5. The Order Is Granted
If the court is satisfied that the action should be prevented, an order is made. Breaching it risks contempt of court.
Can You Apply for an Emergency Prohibited Steps Order
Yes. If there is an immediate threat, you can request an emergency prohibited steps order. These applications are made without notifying the other parent. The court hears the matter urgently and decides whether to make an emergency order. You must provide strong evidence that the child faces immediate harm or risk.
If the emergency order is granted, the court sets a return hearing so the other parent can respond.
When You Cannot Apply for a Prohibited Steps Order
There are specific limits to keep in mind.
- You cannot apply if the child is sixteen or over.
- You cannot apply if the child is under a local authority care order.
- In some cases, existing child arrangement order provisions may already cover the issue.
- If you are unsure whether you can apply, ask for legal advice before moving forward.
Can a Prohibited Steps Order Be Changed or Ended
Yes. Parents can ask the court to vary or discharge an existing order if circumstances change. For example, if communication improves or a parent wants permission to travel after previously being restricted. Any change must still meet the test of protecting the child’s welfare.
Real Life Examples
Here are scenarios where parents commonly apply.
- A parent threatens to take the child abroad for an extended period without agreement.
- One parent tries to transfer the child to another school.
- A disagreement over a significant medical procedure.
- A history of domestic violence makes a parent fear unilateral decisions.
If any of these sound familiar, a prohibited steps order might be the proper safeguard.
Get Support With a Prohibited Steps Order
If you are dealing with urgent decisions, safety concerns, or complex co-parenting issues, you do not need to navigate this alone.
Holland Family Law helps parents across Leicester and nearby areas, including London, Derby, Nottingham, Northampton, Lincoln, Loughborough, and Birmingham.
Book your Free No-Obligation 30-minute consultation today – expert legal support is just a call away.
Reach us on 0116 4362170 or at claire@hollandfamilylaw.co.uk for confidential, practical advice from our family law specialists.
