Hi. I am posting on behalf of my partner who has two children aged 8 and 12. My partner and I have been together for nearly 2 years and we live together. When we met, my partner was seeing his children mid week and then alternating a Friday evening one week with Sat/Sun overnight the other.
About 6 months into our relationship his ex stopped his mid week access. He was house sharing at the time so during the week would have the children at her house while she went out. He would put them to bed and then wait for her. He asked her to be back by 10-10:30 and she didn't want to agree with this so stopped the mid week access. Soon after, she said the girls didn't like sharing a double bed at Dads anymore so Dad said he would buy two singles. Again, Mum didn't like this and said he should get his own place as that was the plan originally. This soon led to her stopping him having them overnight.
A few months later, we moved in together. His access started to be cut short or even cancelled and this led to Dad applying for a CAO. Unfortunately, access was still made very difficult at times. Once he met to collect them and they said they didn't want to go and Mum just sat and looked at her phone not saying a word. Another time, Mum said they both had a party so he would have to drop back 5 hours early but Dad said he would take and pick the girls up. Because he didn't agree to this, his access that day never happened. It later turned out only one had a party despite Mum and both children saying they were both going etc and even talking about what they ate at the party the following day when he had them. Dad applied to enforce the order but before this could be dealt with, his access was stopped because of Covid.
He had a hearing but the breaches were not spoken about only sorting out some access again which at that point was only access in the local park and Mum was there watching despite being told to wait in her car. The children were very aware that Mum was there, one even kept going back and forth between Mum and Dad. Mum had also made a point of saying they were concerned that Dad wasn't remaining at a 2m distance! Access was meant to increase with the children's feelings in mind but it never did. Mum said when the children go back to school but it never increased. Then when they returned to school, she said they need to settle into school first etc etc.
Dad had to take it back to court. He used a solicitor and barrister this time and he got proper access back at our house.The children have since continued to have a great time and are happy the whole time they are with Dad. They instigated cuddles from the first day he saw them so not sure why Mum said they were concerned about the distance when they were in the park. He isn't sure what is said when they return home but he would often get an email after returning them saying one was unhappy with something.
Recently, when he arrived to pick them up on New year's Day, the 12 year old said she had a headache and didn't want to come. This led to the youngest one saying she didn't want to go on her own even though Dad spends time with them on their own and always has done. Dad knows he is more than capable of looking after them when they are feeling a little under the weather and feels they should have still come. He also knows they were up past midnight the night before so would be tired from that. He had to leave without them. He asked for the time back from Mum on another day but she only offered a phone call. He is already waiting for a reply from her as he has twice asked to arrange a mid week call each week with the children and she hasn't responded. The order states for indirect contact to be agreed.
Cafcass are due to do a section 7 and then there is a resolution hearing booked soon after. Dad has concerns about parental alienation. He has been removed from their social media accounts, he gets messages from Mum off of the children's phones and many more things. He is very worried about the long term effect this may have on the children and his relationship with them.
Any advice much appreciated.