Guidance relating to parental responsibility and separated parents.
In some instances more specific guidance is required for dealing with conflict between separated parents.
Who is a parent?
It's important that schools are aware that parents may be recognised differently under education law, than under family law.
Department for Education has produced a useful guidance page to help schools understand and deal with issues relating to parental responsibility.
Separated Parents
Whilst we understand that for schools there are times that you deal with complex matters in respect of separated parents and parental responsibility (PR), there is guidance in place. The DfE has published guidance entitled ‘Understanding and dealing with issues relating to parental responsibility ‘(updated August 2023). The guidance contains information on PR, separated parents, and offers guidance on how to deal with separated parents’ issues. As schools you also have the DfE statutory guidance ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ which schools should adhere to, and is relevant when separated parents’ issues cross into safeguarding.