Supervised contact with non resident parent during lockdown?

[VaultedRoof]

Ex lives 50miles away, in London. Dc have once a month supervised contact, court ordered, which should be in the community supervised by a friend in dc hometown. Usually they go to the cinema, to eat something or something else around town which obv isn't currently possible. He could travel here and they take their exercise together but it's very cold and unlikely that the children will enjoy this or ex find it acceptable/be able to cope (he has form for returning them early when he can't be arsed anymore).

Ex will push for them going to his house, but aside from court specifically refusing to order this at last hearing (pending a fact finding), he doesn't drive, and I would not be able to drive to his place and then hang around in my car for 4 hours before driving back, for practical reasons (bladder wouldnt cope that long - post partum issues), and I'd probably get fined. I won't go into his house (dv).

AIBU in thinking that in the circs contact will have to be suspended until lockdown eases? I don't want this to be the case, because I know how upset the children will be. I'd be really happy if anyone had any suggestions I've not thought of - but I feel this is unlikely.

Could they go to the house of the friend that supervises it? Isn't there a lockdown exemption for children having contact with separated parents?
Do the kids have anything they would enjoy doing with him like football rather than just a walk? Sorry I don't think you mentioned how old they are.
Sorry this sounds really hard for you

Friend also lives in London so I don't think that would be any better practically. The dc like cycling, but ex has said before he couldn't bring a bike on the train. Dc aged 6-13, and 13yo has Sen which complicates matters even further.
Court order is for me to make dc available, so I guess I can make them available here and leave it up to ex to make whatever arrangements he can, or not as the case may be. I'm just worried about the upset for the dc if he can't work anything out. It does feel impossible.

Could you facilitate a face time call/Skype? Ex won't have to see you and you could end it if necessary..

@VaultedRoof can i ask why interim contact was ordered if there's dv? Didn't cafcass say they couldn't endorse interim contact until the measure of a face find had taken place?

There is no reason ex could get a bike on the train once and then leave it at your house and if you have a bike could the friend supervising borrow that from you so they are not so put out? Whilst it really isn't for you to solve it is good to offer some suggestions that would work for you and the kids as it would show the court you had made attempts and that he has turned them down rather than it be an all or nothing of his house or yours. If it wasn't DV I would suggest if you have a tent to pitch it in the back garden and they could hang out and play board games and have a picnic (that he could bring) in there but obviously don't if there is any risk to you.

*no reason ex COULDN'T

They already have weekly video calls which will continue, so the dc will still 'see' him at any rate.

Cafcass said they couldn't make any recommendation until fact finding but court ordered supervised contact anyway - tbh I was happy with contact as long as it was supervised, because dc really wanted to see him.

Lending a bike is an idea, though I don't trust ex not to damage it. Unfortunately I don't have the space to store an extra bike at my place.

Thanks for replies

The lockdown rules in England are here - www.gov.uk/guidance/national-lockdown-stay-at-home?priority-taxon=774cee22-d896-44c1-a611-e3109cce8eae

Just a few points:

1. You won't get fined for driving 50 miles as there is an exception in the law for children who don't live with both parents/guardians to have contact.
2. Anyone helping you won't get fined either as they are part of that exception.
3. If your ex wants to take a bike on the train - not overground/tfl/tube - due to the decrease in the number of passengers even with reduced services he very likely can even on services that normally don't allow bikes as he will likely be the only person or one of the only very few people in his carriage. He just needs to be able and prepared to cycle from the train stations. My DP and some of his colleagues did this during the last lockdowns to avoid buses/underground/tfl/overground services.

The only advice I would give is that just make sure whoever is doing the traveling has a copy of the Court Order on them. This is so if - which will be rare - the police ask what you are doing you can show you are acting legally.

Make them available. Don't break the interim order.

Though not ideal, with appropriate attire, flask of warm drink and biking, walking can all be good activities. Though not the aimless sort.

Thanks - super useful advice!