Not an exclusive bubble

[TinyTroubleMaker]

Have posted on a more specialised board in more detail, but posting here also to get a wider perspective.

A week ago, family member x offered to be part of my exclusive bubble. I'm a single parent so allowed to form an exclusive bubble with one other household. The guidance is specific in saying you're not to mix bubbles. I was happy, not intending to use the offer to much but for a few reasons was glad - I'm working from home, long hours, sole childcare around that, have an injury that means I'm in moderate pain more or less all day. Occasional respite would be nice.

Today I called family member x, said can we come round, they said yes. Once there, I was told they have been looking after another family member y's children for the past 2 days. So without having a choice, I'm now in breach of the current lockdown guidance.

Family member y is also in breach of the guidance, because they are still seeing their partner, who does not live with them, as well as family member x.

Family member x goes on to say, they will be looking after family member y's 3 children for a week, because family member y and partner are going on holiday in Europe. So my choice is now, retreat to my own household only as I'm unlikely to find other childcare, or use family member x as childcare knowing it's not within the guidance but I get a break. We could be fined. I know it's unlikely, but legally we could be.

AIBU to be annoyed?

And WWYD.

She is allowed to be part of a "childcare bubble" plus a "support bubble". If she is not actually socialising with Family member Y, I don't think anyone has done anything wrong (apart from the family member going on holiday that is!)?

Thanks izzy so are you saying I can use the childcare as was originally offered, at the same time as family member y, and not be in breach, or that I can't and then they are all OK (but I have no support)?

Support bubbles and childcare bubbles are different things. Your family member can be your support bubble and a childcare bubble for other family member as long as they aren’t socialising with them and just providing childcare.

Although they aren’t allowed two childcare bubbles so you would have to be a support bubble (but they can then still look after your children)

Now I'm confused..

So if we 'call' them 2 different names (me support, family y childcare) but in practice are both using family x for childcare, this is within the rules?

@TinyTroubleMaker

Now I'm confused..

So if we 'call' them 2 different names (me support, family y childcare) but in practice are both using family x for childcare, this is within the rules?

Yes. They will be your support bubble. They will be your extended household so you can socialise with them etc. The other family will be in a childcare bubble with them, they wont be an extended household and they can't socilaise with them, but can look after their kids. So in effect yours will be the actual bubble, the other just for childcare. As long as there are no other bubbles involved this is all fine.

The difference being your a single adult household so allowed to form a support bubble

Thank you.

You can be part of one support bubble and one childcare bubble at the same time.

Family member X can look after your kids AND Family member Y's - one as part of a support bubble (meaning they can also see the adult) and one as a childcare bubble.

What they cannot do is socialise with both you AND family member Y, as one of you needs to be just a childcare bubble meaning X can only socialise with the kids and not their mum.

It sounds like Y is bubbled with her partner. If Y isn't directly socialising with X, just having X look after the kids, you're all good. If Y and X are socialising, X can still have your kids but you wouldn't be able to go in with them, just drop them off and leave.