Can a step-parent get parental responsibility?

Parental responsibility is a legal status that gives a person the right to make decisions about a child’s upbringing. A step-parent can obtain parental responsibility either through a Parental Responsibility Agreement with the child’s birth parents which is approved by the Court, or by applying for a Court Order. A step-parent can also obtain parental responsibility if they have a Child Arrangements Order naming them as the person with whom the child lives. Once obtained, the step-parent shares parental responsibility with the child’s birth parents.