Can I See My Children If I Don’t Live With Them During Covid-19?

Everybody’s lives have been turned upside down due to the Coronavirus and since the 23rd March 2020 we have been subject to government restrictions.

The guidelines set by the government are very clear, to stay home and not leave the house unless necessary, however, what happens if parents do not live in the same household, can they still see their children? Can the normal contact arrangements take place?

The plain and simple answer is yes, where parents do not live in the same household, children under 18 can still be moved between their parents’ homes.

Contact arrangements will differ for every family as it down to personal circumstances of both families and their agreements. Undoubtedly the best way to deal with these difficult times will be for the parents to communicate with one another about their worries and share their thoughts about what they think would be a good, practical solution.

It may be that parents have to become more flexible about the current arrangements for contact. Unfortunately, due to the current pandemic, not everything can carry on as normal and there are likely to be disruptions caused to most families around the UK, but it is about how these disruptions are dealt with.

We are all in the same boat, not just one family has been affected by the Coronavirus, we all have and therefore, this is a widespread issue. It is not entirely unreasonable that even if one parents thinks it is safe for contact to take place, the other parent may not.

It is for the parents to do a sensible assessment of their circumstances including:

i) The child’s present health.
ii) Risk of infection
iii) Presence of any recognised vulnerable individuals in one household or another.

This is a very uncertain and scary time for adults let alone children where their routine has already been affected due to the closure of schools. The focus now should be for parents to try and plan a routine that works for both them and the children, whilst always considering what is in the best interest of their children.

Emily Sherwood
April 2020