Can I take my sons friend abroad with us

[LimeReader]

My son has invited his best friend (8 years old) on holiday with us (Holland eurocamp travelling on the overnight ferry from Hull). Am I able to do this? It would be my family and his best friend- do I need a letter or anything as he’s not our son? Before we formally invite I want to check as another friend told me we might not be allowed. Any advice welcome! Thank you

Are you inviting a child on holiday just because your 8 year old did? This would make a holiday so much worse for me. I wouldn't be able to properly relax.

Of course you can but you will need a letter from his parents giving you permission to take him and giving you permission in emergency to sign medical forms. The child will need a passport with enough time left on it, a ghic card and insurance as he won't be covered on yours. Be very clear with the parents what you are covering and what money if any he needs

Your son has invited them or you have? 8 is quite young to be going abroad with another family. I presume his parents have said yes?
You will need letters of permission from the parents I expect and some serious conversations about what happens if there is an accident or illness.
You will need his passport and ehic card. Also looks carefully at the travel insurance.
We took a friend away with us once but she was 16 at the time.

It’s not up to your son - do you usually let him run things? It would be up to both sets of parents and you’d need proof he has permission to travel with you.
At 8 years old I may let you take my child to the park but not overseas.

Your 8 year old invited another child on holiday with him, presumably without your permission? Absolutely not. It’s a matter between you and the other boy’s parents, not the children.

We’ve taken a friend away with us a few times as DD is an only child and likes the company, I think that 8 is far too young to do this though. You need written consent from both parents for immigration

Do you want to be responsible for another child? Would you fund them? A parental letter is fine, plus their passport, insurance and ghic.

That’s quite young. It’s pretty intense going on holiday with another family. Dont know anyone that’s done it that young. My confident then 14 year old did it for the first time last year wouldn’t have done it any younger unless the child was very close to the family for years or they are extended family cousins etc.

And yes you will need letters of authority from both parents

Of course you need to have a letter. You can’t just take an unrelated minor abroad. Personally I would not let my 9 year old go abroad with another family, do you know the child well? What if he gets homesick?

Need a letter from his parents to leave the country and to enter another (police need conformation that he has not been kidnapped nor smuggling child back into UK), also that you have the authority for any require medical treatment.

How well do you know them? Have they been on day trips with you and stayed over at yours? Are you confident you could handle any melt down or argument with your dc?

If not I wouldn't take them. In any case I wouldn't. I think 8 is too young.

You would be allowed with a letter but that’s extremely young unless the friends are in each other’s pockets all the time. My dc hadn’t even had a sleepover at 8. They are 10 and 12 now and still way too young to have a friend come on holiday. It’s quite intense being around another child 24/7 and being responsible for them.

I'm sure your situation is different to mine though. Why are you keen to invite the friend?

No way would I let my 8 year old go on holiday with another family, especially abroad!

Yes you would be allowed with the right paperwork but a huge responsibility!