Aussie Childcare Network Forum

Your Assignment Module Number and Heading: CHCCS400C - Work winthin a relevant legal and ethical framework
Your Assignment Type: Case Scenario
Currently Working in Childcare? Yes
Your knowledge: Beginner

Your Question?
*you are an unqualified educator in the 3-5 age group at a children's education and cer service*
you have twins in your room with parents that were both very involved with their children and both signed the enrollment forms when first enrolled a year ago. since then, the parents have separated and have drawn up a formal parenting plan which lists both parents as legal carers.
one day the mother confides in you that she is in a new relationship. she asks that you dont allow the childrens father to pick them up from care anyore, and to only let the children go with her or the new partner. she explains that she feels that this is better to establish the new family relationship.

What is your answer so far or What have you done so far as an attempt to solve this question?
well i know that i would want to respect the mothers wishes and i understand her reasoning yet, from what we know, the father is causing no harm to the children so there is no immediate danger if they are in his care, so, putting myself in the fathers shoes, i would be incredibly angry and confused as to why the mother wants to do this.... as the professional though, i admit that i wouldnt know what to do.... the legal documents say that the father and the mother can both pick the children up from care. Im not sure about any rights or standards or anything to help guide my decision!

Description and Message:

Legally as long as his name is on the authorisation list of people allowed to pick up the child you cannot stop him from picking up the children. If she wanted the new arrangement she would have to speak to the father tell him what she was doing before removing him from that list. I would probably ask both parents to come in to amend the form so that she cannot say she has spoken to him and then you end up in a position where he has not been asked and has come to pick the child up and been told he had been removed off the list.
It is a highly tricky situation but while he is on the form you CANNOT refuse him care of his children

hmm yes that was what i was thinking, thank you so much! i appreciate your help