access at school gates

[gonaenodaethat]

A friend of mine is being denied access to his DSs (5 and 12). He was seeing them and having them overnight but since he has moved in with his new partner his ex W has withdrawn all access.
There are no issues re abuse,neglect etc she is just sore because he has moved on and she hasn't. He hasn't seen them for 6 weeks and is beside himself.
If he went to the school to pick them up where would he stand legally? I know this is potentially traumatic for the DSs but surely no worse than not seeing their dad for 6 weeks?

surely he needs to see a solicitor?
it would be awful for his kids to see his parents arguing at school over who is picking them up

I would imagine if she has denied all access, she's probably informed the school that they are not to be picked up by him too.

Therefore, if he tries, he could very well land himself in trouble with the police.

Apart from that, won't he being subjecting himself to the wrath of the school gate mums, who know he's been denied access, for whatever reason?

Wrong wrong wrong. He would be an eejit to do this. Don't let him think it's a good idea.

He is seeing a solicitor. It's just taking too long.
He's only being denied access by her. There's nothing legal. He was having them overnight until 6 weeks ago. They both have parental responsibility so how can she just do this?

No idea, is it because she is concerned they are being introduced to the new girlfriend perhaps without enough caution, ie how long has he been with her, etc.

He needs to think clearly about what's best for the children, though it must be painful for him.

Tell him not to do it. As tempting as it may be and as infuriating as it is to be in his situation, it would just be playing into her hands. And more importantly, would be upsetting for the children. It will just inflame an already difficult situation.

Unfortunately it does take ages going through the right channels, but he musn't give her any reason to make him look the bad guy.

You're right of course. It just seems all wrong that she can do this on a whim.

School cannot stop him picking them up - I know because I've been in this exact position as a teacher and we sought legal advice about what we should do if the parent turned up to take them. However, probably not the best thing to do in the circumstances, won't make him look too good.

Is this any natural parent or only with parental responsibility? Terrifying to think someone's long estranged father or mother might turn up and collect their 'natural' child without the parent with care even knowing about it.

and furthermore how would the school verify whether they were the child's parent or not?

The school wont stop him from taking them but it is going to be traumatic for the chidlren and upsetting for everyone involved.

He needs to tell his Solicitor to make an application to Court NOW - stop holding off and do it - if Solicitor not prepared to do it then find another one.

Racmac is right - disgusting that children should be used as pawns in this way. She hasn't got the right to control him by denying him contact with the kids - it is DV, in my view. Tell him to join Families Need Fathers and get himself into court for an ex-parte hearing to re-establish contact in the interim whilst he goes for a Joint Residence agreement and contact order to stop this happening to the children again.