The school summer holidays should be something to look forward to. Time to relax, make memories and enjoy a slower pace with your kids. But for separated parents, the long break can bring a particular kind of stress.
Six weeks is a long time to organise. If you and your child’s other parent can’t agree on who sees them and when, the holidays can feel like a source of conflict.
If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone, and you’re not without options. Our child law team helps separated parents agree summer arrangements that keep your children at the centre of every decision.
The Challenge of Agreeing Holiday Contact
During term time, life tends to fall into a routine. The summer holidays remove that structure, and several issues can surface all at once. You might disagree about how to divide the weeks, who has the children for which dates, whether one parent can take them abroad, or how holidays fit around work and childcare.
Disagreements about your children can leave you feeling anxious, guilty, or frustrated. And ongoing conflict takes its toll on everyone, your children most of all. What most parents want is simple: a fair arrangement and a settled break for their kids.
Why Summer Child Arrangements Matter
The summer holidays often involve longer, uninterrupted blocks of time with each parent. This means plans to travel and a greater need for flexibility than the rest of the year.
That makes early agreement especially important.
Sorting things out in advance gives everyone time to plan, reduces the chances of last-minute disputes, and gives your children the security of knowing what to expect.
Disagreements over holiday contact are common, and most are resolved without ever reaching a courtroom. With the right guidance, yours can be too.
How We Can Help
At Ringrose Law, our child law team has supported many parents through exactly this situation. We understand both the law and the emotions involved, and we’re here to give you clear, practical advice.
We’ll help you understand your options, protect your relationship with your children, and reach an arrangement you can rely on, this summer and in the years ahead.
How to Resolve Summer Holiday Contact: A Step-by-Step Guide
There is a clear path to resolving disagreements about your children. Most parents move through the early stages and never need the later ones.
1. Try to Agree With a Parenting Plan
Wherever possible, the best arrangements are the ones parents reach themselves. A written parenting plan sets out the practical detail of how you’ll share time, including;
- Holiday dates
- Handover arrangements
- Travel and,
Putting it in writing reduces misunderstandings and gives you both something to refer back to.
2. Consider Mediation
If you can’t agree directly, mediation is usually the next step.
An independent, trained mediator helps you both talk through the issues and work towards a solution, without the cost, delay and stress of court. It’s quicker and far less adversarial. You can turn any agreement into a legally binding consent order if you wish.
In most cases, you’ll need to attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (a MIAM) before you can apply to court. This tell the court you’ve considered mediation.
Mediation isn’t right for every situation. Where there has been domestic abuse, or in cases of urgency, an exemption may apply and you can proceed without it. We can advise you on whether an exemption is likely to apply in your circumstances.
3. Applying to Court
If mediation isn’t successful or an exemption applies, you can apply to the family court for a Child Arrangements Order, which sets out who your child lives with and spends time with. The application is made on a C100 form, and the court will then list a first hearing.
4. The role of Cafcass
Before that first hearing, Cafcass (the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service) will become involved. Cafcass are independent and their role is to safeguard children’s welfare. They will;
- Carry out background safeguarding checks
- Speak to both parents about their views and proposals, and
- Prepare a short letter for the court setting out their initial recommendations.
5. The First Hearing and Beyond
If you can come to an agreement at the first hearing, the court may be able to make an order and bring proceedings to an en. If matters remain in dispute, Cafcass may recommend a more detailed report or further professional involvement.
Throughout the process, the court’s overriding priority is the welfare of your child. Our advice is always to put forward reasonable, child-focused proposals, and to bear in mind that any contact recommended by Cafcass will have been assessed as safe and in your child’s best interests.
Practical Tips For Separated Parents This Summer
A few simple steps can prevent most summer disputes:
- Plan early and put it in writing. Agree dates well before the holidays begin and record them, so there’s no confusion later.
- Keep your proposals reasonable and child-focused. Think about what works best for your children, not only what is most convenient for you.
- Sort out holidays abroad in good time. If you want to take your child outside England and Wales, you normally need the consent of everyone with parental responsibility (or the court’s permission). Taking a child abroad without it can have serious legal consequences, so always agree this in advance.
Keep communication calm and child-centred. However difficult the relationship, your children benefit when arrangements are handled without conflict.
How Ringrose Law Can Support You
Our child law team can help with every stage of children matters, including:
Drawing up a clear, practical parenting plan, preparing for and supporting you through mediation, making an application to court for a Child Arrangements Order, and advising you throughout on what’s reasonable and what the court is likely to consider.
We can also check whether you may be eligible for legal aid, so that cost is one less thing to worry about.
A Settled Summer For Your Children
With the right support, most parents are able to reach an arrangement that gives their children a happy, settled summer and gives themselves real peace of mind. Left unresolved, holiday disputes tend to escalate, causing stress for you and uncertainty for your children at a time that should be enjoyable. Acting early, and getting the right advice, is the surest way to avoid that.
Speak to Our Child Law Team Today
Frequently Asked Questions
Do we have to go to mediation before going to court?
In most cases you must attend a MIAM (Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting) before applying to court, unless an exemption applies, such as in cases involving domestic abuse or urgency. The MIAM is where you find out whether mediation could help in your situation.
What is a Child Arrangements Order?
It’s an order made by the family court that sets out who a child lives with, who they spend time with, and the practical arrangements for their care. It’s applied for using a C100 form.
Can I take my child abroad during the summer holidays without the other parent’s consent?
Generally, no. You normally need the consent of everyone with parental responsibility, or the permission of the court, to take a child outside England and Wales. Taking a child abroad without consent can be a serious matter, so always agree it in advance or seek advice.
What does Cafcass do?
Cafcass is an independent body that advises the family court on what is in a child’s best interests. They carry out safeguarding checks, speak to both parents, and make recommendations to the court.
How long do proceedings take?
It varies. If you can reach an agreement at the first hearing, matters can conclude quickly. Where these is a need for further reports or professional involvement, cases can take several months. Resolving things through agreement or mediation is usually much faster.
Can I get legal aid for child arrangements?
Legal aid is available in some circumstances, particularly where there has been domestic abuse. We can check your eligibility when you contact us.