Section 4A — Children Act 1989: Acquisition of parental responsibility by step-parent

Acquisition of parental responsibility by step-parent 4A 1 Where a child’s parent (“ parent A ”) who has parental responsibility for the child is married to , or a civil partner of, a person who is not the child’s parent (“ the step-parent ”)—

a parent A or, if the other parent of the child also has parental responsibility for the child, both parents may by agreement with the step-parent provide for the step-parent to have parental responsibility for the child; or b the court may, on the application of the step-parent, order that the step-parent shall have parental responsibility for the child.

2 An agreement under subsection (1)(a) is also a “ parental responsibility agreement ”, and section 4(2) applies in relation to such agreements as it applies in relation to parental responsibility agreements under section 4.

3 A parental responsibility agreement under subsection (1)(a), or an order under subsection (1)(b), may only be brought to an end by an order of the court made on the application—

a of any person who has parental responsibility for the child; or b with the leave of the court, of the child himself.

4 The court may only grant leave under subsection (3)(b) if it is satisfied that the child has sufficient understanding to make the proposed application.