Urgent- parental responsibility and school trip

[mynamechangemyrules]

My DCs live with me, both parents parental responsibility, ExH sees them 1/14 as won't take all at once.

DC1 is refusing to see father. ExH is dreaming up ways to punish him for this 'non compliance' as he delightfully refers to it.

He is saying he will block DC from attending their school trip. (Merit related/ selected trip due to being good at the subject).

I had confirmed ExH's agreement to allow child to attend prior to paying for trip as he has form for disallowing things such as this on a whim.

ExH messaged DC to say that I could not stop ExH from doing this as legally DC can't leave the country without non-resident parent's permission.

I know this is legally true if I were to be taking him as I could be charged with child abduction (he has used that before to block us holidaying 😳😬) but with the school taking him is there any legal obligation to get his permission? Bearing in mind I actually already have it in email anyway, but he now wants to override this- can he?

Please put in a CMS claim for maintenance. He should be paying towards his kids.

What a vile man trying to block his child from going on a trip as 'punishment'. I hope you get this sorted soon.

I have been, and had to show the other parent's letter giving permission. It does happen.

@mynamechangemyrules

Op - going via court gives you control back and takes all his manipulation out of it. A child arrangement order does indeed come under section 8 and in your shoes I would absolutely apply for one as it will mean you can holiday abroad with your children up to 28 days without having to ask for fathers consent. The specific issues order also comes under section 8 but just deals with one specific holiday request so for you the CAO will be far better. I can't get the latter due to my child's age but if I could I would! Definitely apply for CMS too - reduce to a min anything where you need to communicate essentially.

I'm still wondering what the heck to do. I cannot believe there is no legal recourse to protect you from this with an older teen. @Birdseyetrifle whilst you might not be stopped, you need to work on the basis you might be and a vindictive ex can absolutely make trouble to the point you could be accused of child abduction. The FCO advice is clear. Letter of consent from all parents or court. Just a shame it doesn't align with the fact courts don't issue section 8 orders for 16-17 year olds. 😤🤯