Don't want my ex to see our son anymore

[ChickMcL17]

I have a 7 month old baby with my now ex partner. We split up about a month ago for good at the beginning of June due to him cheating. We had a childcare arrangement to suit him in regards to work but he has not been able to stick to it e.g showing up late to pick him up, trying to drop him off early, trying to change the days he sees him etc. He also drops our son off at a family member when he is supposed to be spending time with him so he can go off and do his own thing. He is very irresponsible and only really concerned about himself. Two weeks ago he dropped off our son with sunburnt arms and said nothing to me about it when he dropped him off, I phoned him later on when I noticed it and he said it wasn't his fault, his sister had put suncream on him. I said to him at the time please be careful from now on during this heatwave. Then yesterday he dropped him off again with both his legs burnt and said nothing. I noticed it before he drove off and tried to speak to him about but he ignored me and drove off. Later on he said it wasn't his fault again because his dad was watching him and he didn't tell me because he doesn't want to speak to me. I feel there is no excuse for a 7 month old to be burnt and that fact he has taken no responsibility for it annoys me further. Everything is always someone elses fault and he will not speak to me even if it's about the welfare of our child. I don't particularly enjoy seeing him but I was willing to put up with him for the sake of our child. Last night I have came to decision I no longer wish our child to be around him until he can become more responsible and show some interest in him. I know he both our child and he has every right to see him but the whole situation is ringing alarm bells for the future when my wee one is older and knows what's happening. I have said to contact a lawyer so we can sort this legally. I want him to be part of our child's life but not until he can show he is a capable parent. I would like some thoughts on this? Thanks

It's wise to speak to a lawyer about it. He doesn't seem to see the wrong or the risk in his behaviour. Take photos of the sunburn. It's would be worth trying the mitigation route first and you can raise concerns. You can also request that access is done in a controlled environment e. A contact centre that way it will be one on one and he will have to prove himself.
Try to avoid the courts if possible it's expensive and very messy. But I would be very clear with him that your reexamining the access agreement due to repeated issues which could have harmed the child.

Agree that you do need to get something formal in place. Does he contact you to arrange to see him? I'm just thinking that in the mean time, if you didn't initiate contact, would he contact you? It might be a way to minimise the amount of time he has him alone until something formal is in place. Do you need him to have your Son so you can work?

Agree you need to take photos. If this man can't be trusted to keep a baby safe then it is right not to let him. Be careful that you aren't saying "I don't want" though - this is about your baby's needs first and foremost.

Your child does have the right to a loving relationship with their father and growing up with regular contact from babyhood is an intrinsic part of that where possible. However your baby's need to be kept safe from harm is a more important need than that so if they are being endangered by irresponsible careless decisions when in the care of their dad then that has got to stop and it is OK to take steps to prevent your baby being harmed including cancelling contact visits until the dad can prove he has learned how to keep his baby safe.