34.The provisions of this paragraph set out the rules for adjusting maintenance liability where the non-resident parent shares the care of a qualifying child (see paragraph 15) and the maintenance liability is calculated at the basic or reduced rate.
Sub-paragraph (1) restricts a reduction in liability for shared care under this paragraph to maintenance payable at the basic or reduced rate.  Paragraph 8 (see below) provides for the effect of shared care on a flat-rate liability.
Sub-paragraphs (2) to (4) provide that where the non-resident parent has overnight care of the child for at least 52 nights in total during a prescribed 12 month period, the amount payable to the parent with care of that child will be decreased by one-seventh for care on 52 to 103 nights, two sevenths for care on 104 to 155 nights, three-sevenths for care on 156 to 174 nights and one-half for care on 175 or more nights.  Where a period of 12 months is not available, paragraph 9 allows the Secretary of State to make regulations giving him flexibility to use a period other than 12 months.
Sub-paragraph (5) provides that where the parent with care is caring for more than one qualifying child of the same non-resident parent then the reduction will be the sum of the relevant fractions divided by the number of such qualifying children.  For example, where the non-resident parent shares the care of two children, one for an average of one night a week, and the other for an average of two nights a week, his liability is reduced by 3/14ths.
Sub-paragraph (6) provides for the maintenance liability to be reduced by a further £7 for each qualifying child for whom care is equally shared.
Sub-paragraph (7) restricts the amount by which the provisions of this paragraph can reduce liability so that the non-resident parent cannot have a liability of less than £5.  Where there is more than one person with care and more than one qualifying child in respect of the same non-resident parent, this sum will be apportioned between the persons with care in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 6.
Part 1: Child Support. Commentary on Sections Schedule 1: Calculation of weekly amount of child support maintenance Paragraph 7: Shared care – basic and reduced rate