amarrian Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 Scenario: mother declares that her child must have no contact with its father. Subsequently, father pitches up demanding contact. What is the school's responsibility or obligation? I see some difficulty in denying access to a parent, on the say-so of the other parent, without some legal paperwork or instruction. Does anyone have any experience of such a situation? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finleysmaid Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 there have been discussions about this before (try a search). You cannot deny a parent access unless you have legal paperwork in place. When the children start we have parental responsibility on the registration. If they say X can't have access we will ask for the paperwork then...i make it quite clear that without this then we are unable to refuse. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rea Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 Warring parents is never good is it? I'm a bit hazy on this these days but my understanding is without legal paperwork you cant stop either parent from taking the child. If a child is born after Dec 2003 dad has automatic parental responsibility, previously unmarried parents only mom had automatic PR, if they're married both have it anyway. A court order must be in place to deny either parent access not just parents say so. If I were you I'd speak to the mom, explain the legalities of the situation and then try to engage her in a conversation asking why dad cant access and then try to move it forward, help her to see the Its always the children who lose out never the parents. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catma Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 Basically unless there is a court order in place, a school can do little on the whim of one of them. You say what can the school do so assuming you are one I would refer all matters to the HT or person with responsibility for safeguarding. There should be a school policy anyway! Cx 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlettangel Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 We always explain to the parent that without legal paperwork we couldn't stop the dad or mum but, if he or she is unknown to us we would use this as a reason to contact the parent we do know because we would not let a child go with someone we do not know without prior permission from the parent we usually see. That is in our safety policy!! Does any of that make sense?!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amarrian Posted October 31, 2013 Author Share Posted October 31, 2013 Thanks all - that is very wise advice and has helped to clear my mind Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emasi8624 Posted November 5, 2013 Share Posted November 5, 2013 This was a big issue in the setting I used to manage, therefore when I started my own setting I created a policy relating to separated families, Please find this attached. I hope it is useful. Separated Families.docx 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thumperrabbit Posted November 6, 2013 Share Posted November 6, 2013 This was a big issue in the setting I used to manage, therefore when I started my own setting I created a policy relating to separated families, Please find this attached. I hope it is useful. Thank you for sharing your policy, I've found it very informative. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wellerkaren Posted November 13, 2013 Share Posted November 13, 2013 Thank you for sharing, I hvae a child in a simular situation and this will help me no end . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 13, 2013 Share Posted November 13, 2013 Hi, can someone just confirm for me. Unmarried parents - does the father have parental responsibility? Can Mum say Dad cant pick up if they aren't married? ( both named on birth certificate) We currently have this situation and I would like to be clear of the legalities if the need arises. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SueJ Posted November 14, 2013 Share Posted November 14, 2013 This link may help you out: http://www.dad.info/divorce-and-separation/fathers-rights-and-law/unmarried-fathers-rights As others have said most Dads are now on children's birth certificates and therefore have parental responsibility. As such only a court order can change this. Note however if you have parents who are seeking a court order suggest that it is time and locations specific e.g., XXX may not drop off/collect child from XXX early years setting. Or if necessary order should specify who can e.g, only XXX and his/her named representatives may drop off/collect child from XXX early years setting. Having had to call the police out during one episode when separated parents were sending new partners in to "test" an existing court order we have learned the hard way! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 14, 2013 Share Posted November 14, 2013 Thanks for this Sue - appreciate all the info. J Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twinthinguk Posted November 6, 2014 Share Posted November 6, 2014 just found this post, thanks so much for sharing this, we have a rather nasty situation going on at the moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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