13 July 2026
For separated families, the six-week break can often bring added pressure, particularly when there are disagreements about childcare, holidays or overseas travel.
Planning ahead and communicating early can help avoid unnecessary conflict. If agreement cannot be reached, there are legal options available to help ensure arrangements remain focused on what matters most – the best interests of the child.
Why Summer Holidays Can Create Disputes
Many separated parents have established routines during the school term, with contact arrangements built around weekends, school collections and extracurricular activities.
When the summer holidays arrive, those routines change. Parents may need to balance annual leave, childcare, holidays and family events, making it more difficult to agree how time should be shared.
Common areas of disagreement include:
Discussing plans as early as possible can often prevent disagreements from escalating.
Do You Need a Formal Child Arrangements Order?
Not necessarily.
Many separated parents successfully agree arrangements between themselves without involving the courts. A flexible and cooperative approach is often the least stressful option for both parents and children.
However, where communication has broken down or disputes arise regularly, having a formal agreement in place can provide certainty.
A Child Arrangements Order can set out when a child spends time with each parent, including arrangements during school holidays. Some orders specify exactly how summer holidays will be divided, while others provide a framework that parents can follow each year.
A written parenting plan can also help clarify expectations without formal court proceedings.
How Are Summer Holidays Usually Shared?
There is no standard arrangement that applies to every family.
The right solution will depend on a range of factors, including the child's age, existing routines, work commitments and the practical circumstances of each parent.
Some families divide the holidays equally, while others alternate longer holiday periods or agree dates well in advance each year.
Whatever arrangements are made, the court's overriding consideration will always be the child's welfare and best interests.
Taking Your Child Abroad
One of the most common sources of disagreement during the summer holidays is overseas travel.
In most cases, anyone with parental responsibility should be consulted before a child is taken abroad.
Where a Child Arrangements Order states that a child lives with one parent, that parent may usually take the child abroad for up to 28 days without obtaining the other parent's consent, unless the order states otherwise.
In all other circumstances, obtaining written consent before travelling is strongly recommended.
Providing details of travel dates, accommodation and emergency contact information can help avoid misunderstandings and provide reassurance for everyone involved.
What Happens If Consent Is Refused?
If one parent refuses permission for an overseas holiday, the first step is often to try to resolve the issue through discussion or family mediation.
Mediation can help parents reach an agreement without the need for court proceedings.
If an agreement cannot be reached, it may be possible to apply to the court for a Specific Issue Order, asking the court to decide whether the holiday should go ahead.
Equally, where there are genuine concerns that a child may not be returned or that travel is not in the child's best interests, legal advice should be sought as soon as possible.
When Contact Arrangements Break Down
Unfortunately, disagreements sometimes arise where one parent repeatedly fails to follow agreed arrangements or breaches an existing Child Arrangements Order.
Where a court order is already in place, the court has powers to deal with repeated breaches and, where appropriate, vary or enforce the arrangements.
If there is no formal order, a solicitor can advise on the options available, including negotiation, mediation or making an application to the Family Court.
Early legal advice can often help resolve issues before they become more difficult.
Planning Ahead Can Prevent Problems
Making arrangements well before the school holidays begin gives everyone greater certainty and reduces the likelihood of last-minute disputes.
It is sensible to confirm agreed arrangements in writing, even where communication is positive, so that both parents have a clear record of what has been agreed.
If travel abroad is planned, passports, travel documents and any necessary consent should also be organised well in advance.
A little preparation can often make the holidays more enjoyable for both parents and, most importantly, for the children.
How We Can Help
If you are experiencing difficulties agreeing child arrangements during the summer holidays, or need advice about taking your child abroad, our experienced Family Law team is here to help.
We advise families across Dorset, including Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch and Highcliffe, providing practical, sensitive legal advice tailored to your individual circumstances.
To speak to a member of our Family Law team, call 01202 294411 or contact us through our website to arrange a confidential consultation: Contact Us AB Solicitors For Your Legal Needs
