How do I ensure my son uses a car seat?

[JD123456789]

Hello all.
I’m after advice regarding my son and my ex. I have text confirmation that when he is with her she does not make him use a car seat. Her words exactly are “When going to nursery and back He does jump in the front with a seat belt on yes, I need to fit his other car seat back in the car.” My boy is only four. What can I do? When we split she moved him 200 miles north so I only see him at weekends. We have no court agreements in place and I more than pay my way for him.

Sounds like a shitty situation out of your control so I see why you’re concerned!
Have you told your ex that it’s completely unacceptable? What did she say in response?

I have and her response is it won’t happen in future.

If your child is of nursery age then it's illegal not to mention incredibly unsafe to be travelling in the front seat with no car seat. I'd go back to the courts/mediation, or contact local police and see if they can do anything.

Other than encouraging him to say “mummy I need my seat” every time there isn’t much you can do unless you maybe contact the pcso near where she lives and ask them to do a spot check at the nursery?

Phone the police & social services.
Go to mediation & court too.
Did you know of her plans to move before they did? (Not relevant, just wondering if, with hindsight, you could’ve prevented your son from being taken so far away)

Yes my son is definitely to young and not tall enough to do away with the car seat. I’ve contacted the local authorities around where they live and they have said they will look into it but I’m not holding my breath. I’ve contacted my sons nursery and they pretty much said there’s nothing they can do but my concerns have been logged. I’ve got an appointment with a solicitor on Tuesday to discuss what legal options I have. No unfortunately I was completely unaware of her plans to move up north until I received a message whilst at work, from the landlord saying that she had vacated the property.

Phone the police.