Sponsored: Booking a holiday in advance of summer - Practical steps for separated parents

Planning a summer holiday as a separated parent involves more than just booking flights — it requires careful communication and, sometimes, legal preparation to avoid disputes. Here’s a quick guide to the key steps you should take:

Check Legal Arrangements

• If you have a Child Arrangements Order and your child “lives with” you, you can take them abroad for up to 28 days without needing the other parent’s consent — unless the order says otherwise.
• If there’s no court order, you must have written consent from everyone with parental responsibility to take your child abroad, even for a short trip.

For holidays within the UK, consent isn’t legally required, but it's still good practice to inform the other parent.

Communicate early

Give the other parent plenty of notice. Share key details:

• Travel dates and destination
• Accommodation information and flight details
• Emergency contact and insurance
• How the child will stay in touch during the trip

Early, respectful communication reduces the risk of conflict and shows that you’re prioritising your child’s well-being.

Try to reach an agreement

If the other parent objects:

• Try to compromise on dates or off er to make up lost time after the trip
• Put any agreement in writing, even if it’s informal
• If discussions break down, family mediation can help you find a solution without going to court

Mediation can help if direct discussions stall.

If you can’t agree — applying to Court

If no agreement can be reached, and the other parent refuses to consent to the trip, you can apply to the Family Court for a Specific Issue Order.

This is a type of court order that asks the judge to decide on a particular matter — in this case, whether the holiday should go ahead.

What the Court will consider:

The court’s main focus is your child’s best interests, not the parents' preferences. It will look at:

• Whether the trip is safe and appropriate
• How long you’ll be away
• The impact on the child’s usual routine and contact with the other parent
• Any previous travel history or concerns
• Is there any abduction risk?

You may also need to provide the court with:

• Travel documents (itinerary, tickets, accommodation)
• A plan for maintaining contact during the trip
• Evidence of why the trip is beneficial for the child

If you're concerned that the other parent might take the child abroad without your agreement, you can apply for a Prohibited Steps Order, which can prevent them from doing so.

How Long Does It Take?

Court applications can take several months, so it’s important to act early, before the planned holiday.

Final Tips

• Plan well in advance
• Keep things child-focused
• Don’t assume permission (get it in writing)
• Speak to a solicitor early if there’s likely to be a dispute

This publication is a general summary of the law. It should not replace legal advice tailored to your specific circumstances.

If you require advice on navigating your child arrangements then we are here to help. We offer a 45-minute free consultation to discuss any aspect of family law, either during the week or on a Saturday, at your convenience. The consultation can take place by telephone or by zoom.

Please contact Kathryn Coyle on kcoyle@kiddrapinet.co.uk or Zeneb Muneer or zmuneer@kiddrapinet.co.uk or by telephone on 01628 659 411.