While the Child Support Agency will determine the level of financial provision for children in general, additional provision can be sought where the supporting parent (generally the father) earns over a certain threshold (currently £104,000.00 ). 

Depending on the wealth or income of the supporting parent, there are a wide range of 'top ups' that can be pursued under Schedule 1 of the Children's Act.   These additional payments can range from the provision of a suitable home and furnishings (at a standard close to that of the supporting parent), to educational needs ( such as school fees, uniforms and extras,  as well a wide range  extra curricular activates);  funding for suitable holidays; to  additional  day to day support .

It is also possible to seek a generous carer's allowance for the party who has the everyday care of the child or children in question.

Additional family provision does not depend on the parents of the child being married and can be revisited as often as the child or children's needs dictate.

This area of the law has undergone significant development since  the relatively recent case, in 2003, of Re P (Child: Financial Provision);  whereby the court made it clear that it would take a generous approach as to provision for a child or children so as to reflect the position of the supporting parent, both financially and socially.  

This generous approach has been acted on and expanded upon in the cases that have followed with the court  subsequently determining  (in Walker v Jeffries & S (A Child)) that  Re P provides the criteria by which the court will review an application but confirming that there is no actual ceiling or fetter on awards that can be made.

Our family team is well versed in these applications and can assist you in gaining a proper level of long term assistance with your child or children's needs.