You do not automatically have parental responsibility. It is possible for a step parent to acquire parental responsibility in two ways. You can enter into a parental responsibility agreement with the parents who already have parental responsibility for the children. Alternatively, if the court makes a 'lives with' child arrangements order in which you are named, you will automatically acquire parental responsibility. If the court makes a 'spends time with' child arrangements order in which you are named, the court may also make a parental responsibility order, although it is not automatic.