Can a parent take their child to work in a bar with them to stop dads contact?

[richardfairbank]

My former wife and I have child contact issues! I have always offered to look after our child in the school holidays, however I always get the response her friends are looking after her, or her older daughter 17. I have now had the response "she will go to the Bar with her as she is better off with her than me and the customers enjoy her!" Our daughter who is 10 complains about having to sit in a pub watching DVD's for 5 hours.

Can anyone tell me the legalities of doing this? I am aware children are allowed in UK pubs when supervised by a person over 18. However there must be issues on insurances, responsibility of Landlord. The bar owner is unaware, so have considered asking their opinion however this will raise issues further. Have also considered writing to licencing authority for their views on this.

[sara3]

every licensed premises will have the licence displayed on the wall, and their rules and regulations will be shown there. you can probably check this with the Licensing Team at the Local Authority.

but what you need is legal advice to sort out reasonable and regular contact.

[woofgang]

if the bar owner isn't aware and hasn't given permission, then your wife shouldn't be doing it, end of story. Apart from whether its a good environment for a child to spend so much time in, or whether your daughter likes it, two major points spring to mind. The first is that your wife is there to WORK and not to be responsible for your daughter. Likely the manager would take the view that your wife is in breach of her employment contract....I sure would! The second is about your daughter's safety. Bars are not secure and there is a risk that she could be taken away without your wife's knowledge.
I wouls suggest that your first port of call mightbe social services or child protection.

[ummmm]

Social Services or child protection?

That's a bit dramatic for the small bit of information Richard has posted.

[lotsafun]

yeah that is a bit drastic there, personally i would point out that a pub is no place for a child, that your child must be bored sat there for 5 hours and that her safety is being jepordised by being there. I fshe still insists of taking her to work with her then i would threaten with legal action to obtain more access to your daughter. The biggest question in my head though is why on earth isnt she taking you up on the offer of babysitting in the first place???????

[woofgang]

I suggested SS or CP NOT to get the child taken into care but to get the story on what the law says about the appropriateness of children being in bars,

[AlBags]

I was in a similar situation several years ago. I think being in a bar during daytime/early evening hours is not what SS would have a problem with. It is any lack of supervision .. like if the parent/guardian was working in the same bar at the time. Then, the child could be at some risk.
Licensed premises obviously have to be licensed and insured to cover the public, including families. Si I don't think you will get very far with the "in a bar" arguement, just on the supervision aspect.

[woofgang]

Even if the parent/care is working in the same bar, he/she is working and would in no way be able to keep an eye on a child...that was what i meant by child in a bar. Licensed premises insurance covers staff and customers, this child is neither.
My experience in this respect is not with pubs but with a hospital where staff began bringing their children to work with them...that's why i mention the breach of employment contract and the health and safety aspects of sufficient and appropriate supervision.

[richardfairbank]

Thank you all for your answers, My daughter is known to ss due to my former wifes behaviour towards her. They advised us to talk through third parties due to FW allegations about me. The reason my wife takes her to work with her isthat she has said she is better of with her than myself and my partner. We recently changed the contact order at FW request so daughter could attend dancing lessons, paid for and transported by me in my work time. My daughter won a competion last weekend. FW now demands that she is fed up with ME changing order and contact to return to order so no dance lessons. Daughter devastated, dance teacher devasted, school devestated due to other issues re access to after school events. Me at my wits end.
legal advice now sought going to have to return to court.

Thanks to all for your input