PSOs And SIOs: The Key Differences Between Prohibited Steps Orders And Specific Issue Orders

When parents cannot agree about important decisions affecting their child, the Family Court has a range of powers available to resolve disputes and protect a child’s welfare. Two of those orders are the Prohibited Steps Order (PSO) and a Specific Issue Order (SIO). These orders are often sought in conjunction, either by the same party or by opposite parties, but they serve very different purposes.

What Is a Prohibited Steps Order?

A Prohibited Steps Order stops something from happening, preventing a parent or other person with parental responsibility from taking a specific action in relation to a child without the permission of the court. This type of order prohibits a step which would otherwise be capable of being taken by a parent exercising parental responsibility, such as taking a child out of school or consenting to a medical procedure on the child’s behalf.