Posting on behalf of a friend. Just needing some advice.
It's something that's been going on for a long time but my ex isn't taking our kids to school.
She has them in the week and I have weekends (custody arrangement between us for years)
My 2 boys attendance started to dip last year and it's carried on dipping. My ex has lied to me about when the children are in school. It's been going on for almost a year. The kids will also lie and say they've been in when they haven't. Obviously I know they are lying as I'm in contact with school. But want to keep them out of it as much as I can, although we have had some difficult conversations. But they are children it's not their fault or responsibility.
I've tried to do everything I can. Supporting my ex to see if she is okay, giving more money on top of my top maintenance to make sure money isn't the issue. Making sure they have clean uniform etc. But she still lies and the attendance is still slipping. 60%. I've tried everything I can, speak to school everytime they are not in. School are just as frustrated as their mum isn't co operating. I thought something may be wrong but it now seems like She simply just doesn't take them. I've said we should swap custody I do in the week, she does weekends but she won't, gets aggressive even talking about it. And my boys love their mum, they don't understand. this would be last resort.
It's at the point where it'll be going to court now. We will both be getting huge fines too which I can't afford to pay. And it seems so unfair as I'm the only one who cares about getting them to school. School said the authority take it case by case and not to worry as I have a huge bank of evidence of my efforts as do they.
But I don't know what else to do. School have supported me and assured me that I am doing what I can and that as a non resisdent parent there's only so much to do. I can't physically make her get up and take them to school.
I don't know what to do anymore. I'm at a loss. I feel so depressed. the reason I left the relationship was because she was very manipulative and abusive to me and I feel like she's doing this to keep me playing to her tune.
I've spoken to social services etc who refuse to intervene, say it's a school issue as they're not being neglected. But surely not taking them to school is neglect?