Do I need my ex’s permission to change our child’s school?

A parent cannot unilaterally make big decisions concerning a child’s welfare without the consent of anyone else who holds parental responsibility. This would include changes in the child’s education.

If all persons with parental responsibility cannot agree on whether to change schools, there are several options to resolve the issue:

The parties could try to reach an agreement through a form of non-court dispute resolution.

If this is unsuccessful, either parent could apply to the court for a Specific Issue Order to determine whether the child’s school should be changed. The court will consider the reasons for the request, and what is in the child’s best interests when making a decision.

A parent could also apply for a Prohibited Steps Order to prevent the other parent from enrolling the child in a new school against their wishes, until a formal decision on the dispute is made by the Court.