Gaining parental rights??

[Rockmaiden]

Wondered if anyone had any advice.

I'm not a step parent but my partner is, I have 2 children from a previous relationship and we have 1 together.

My partner and I have been together for 5 years now and she would love to have some 'rights' so to speak over my two older children. Mainly the basic take to doctor's, school information etc.

As it stands now the school claim they cannot give her any information on my children as she is not a legal guardian.

Is there any way she can gain these rights and if so can someone point me in the right direction.

Should also say we are a lesbian couple if that affects anything and the children's bio father is involved in their lives so adoption not possible. He is however willing to give my partner rights over the children as long as it dosn't mean losing his own, if that makes sense.

Thanks is advance!

I dont know for sure but maybe she could apply for parental responsibility?

That's just a matter of downloading a form from the courts website then all of you turning up on a cetain day to sign it in front of the judges. I did this with my childs father as at the time he didnt have automatic rights.

I'm afraid I don' t really know the legalities of who can and can't apply.

Maybe ask on legal?

I think you need a civil ceremony. Then surely you would have the same rights as a married couple?

you can do it as redfairy said through the courts and should be straightforward as the father is supportive. there is a fee - think it is £180 or thereabouts.
We tried this (for me to get parental responsibility for stepson who lives with us) but his biomum went completely nuts and refused so we dropped the idea. In reality it doesnt make any difference to our day to day lives.

Hi Rock-

The school shouldn't be giving you a hard time with your partner being involved.
I am a FT SM to one of my DBD and the school is happily giving me all information and I'm included in parents evening. I would have a word with the HM and complain TBH.

Otherwise, you can get a Parental Responsibility Agreement in place.

HTH

Will have a look into parental responsibility orders now, sounds like what we are looking for.

I have spoken to the headmaster Pegs and he simply said that it is the school's policy to only share information with legal parents. It's really belittling for her, especially as she is the one who does the school runs as I have to take my autistic son to his school.