Covid 19... What impact will it have on Child Arrangements?

The answer is not clear cut as we find ourselves in an unprecedented situation and the advice is changing daily.  Parents should continue to adhere to any court Order in place and it is clarified that children can move between the homes of separated parents if necessary, during a period of “lock down”. There is an understanding that arrangements may need to be modified subject to advice (or mandatory regulations) as a result of Covid-19. 

Parents must act with common sense, genuinely and fairly, and place the welfare of the child first.  Parents should communicate clearly and as soon as possible with their ex partner, and if arrangements do need to be modified and think about how missed ‘time’ can be made up. Face time/Skype or Zoom are also useful means of facilitating indirect contact. 

With Schools having closed arrangements for handovers may need to be reviewed.  This should be approached flexibly whilst also ensuring that you are not placing a family member at risk (such as asking grandparents, who should be self isolating, to assist). Furthermore, one must be cautious with regard to making exceptions to come into contact with abusive ex partners where this has previously been prohibited.

@EF_Family

23.3.2020