Child Contact Arrangements and Christmas Bubbles

Child Contact Arrangements and Christmas Bubbles

As we come out of Lockdown #2 it’s important, if you’re a separated parent, that you understand what the new rules are and how you might be affected.

The recent Government announcement is that a ’Christmas bubble’ can be formed with up to 3 households between the 23^rd and 27^th December 2020.  The question is – how does this affect your usual arrangements if you’re separated parents?

The New Rules

Below is a comprehensive list of the rules which apply to Christmas bubbles: –

• The bubbles only exist between 23 and 27 December 2020;
• Unless you are a child under the age of 18 with separated parents you can only be in one Christmas bubble;
• A ‘Christmas bubble’ should comprise no more than the individuals from 3 households;
• You cannot change your Christmas bubble;
• You can travel between tiers and UK nations for the purposes of meeting your Christmas bubble;
• You can only meet your Christmas bubble in private homes or in your garden, places of worship, or public outdoor spaces;
• You can continue to meet people who are not in your Christmas bubble outside your home according to the rules in the tier where you are staying;
• You cannot meet someone in a private dwelling who is not part of your household or Christmas bubble.

Many of our clients have already formed support bubbles as a result of the pandemic.  Childcare bubbles are slightly different and can be formed if there is no other childcare alternative available.  It would appear though that if you socialise withing your childcare bubble that this households will have to form part of your Christmas bubble to the maximum of 3 households.  This means that you can only introduce 1 more household to that bubble over the Christmas period.

What does this mean for separated parents?

Separated parents do not have to form part of the same Christmas bubble.  Children under the age of 18 may be a part of both parent’s Christmas bubbles.

Although this new guidance is helpful, it doesn’t overcome the usual issues that parents often have to navigate at this time of year when trying to agree arrangements for their children.  The usual stress of the festive period is made all the more challenging when parents can’t agree where their child will spend Christmas. Tips to overcome this include: –

• Bear in the mind the fact that the 3 household rule only applies between 23^rd and 27^th December in particular, this therefore limits the opportunity for children to see wider family, particularly if they are not local and time for travelling needs to be factored in.  It might be that what you consider the ‘normal’ arrangements for Christmas have to be reworked this year to account for this;
• If you haven’t already – start talking about the arrangements now so that you all know where you stand and more importantly, your child knows what is going to happen and who they will see and when;
• If you can’t immediately reach an agreement – don’t panic!  If there is still time, you could try a referral to a family mediator who can work with you both to help you reach an arrangement.  Alternatively, talk to a family law expert, we can make contact with the other parent on your behalf and may be able to help broker an agreement;
• If it’s apparent that no agreement can be reached, despite everyone’s best efforts and a Court application is necessary then you need to be aware that it’s highly unlikely that you will get a hearing listed before the New Year.  There is simply not enough time at this stage to rely on the Court to bring about a solution.

If your contact arrangements over Christmas are in doubt then don’t leave it too late to take advice.

Our experienced team of family law experts are here to assist should you need advice on any family law or divorce matter. Contact our local family law experts on 0800 015 0340 or family@chadlaw.co.uk to arrange an initial free half hour appointment at any of our offices in Huddersfield, Halifax, Wakefield, Horbury, Leeds, Morley, Bradford or Guiseley.