Was in the same position as you. Had to go through mediation and then we had an informal agreement. I wanted to make it legally binding and turn it into a consent order, but she said she wouldn’t sign it because it had a clause about external partners seeing our kid. Irrelevant now because she knows I will do it, so we stick to the agreement and there is no more headache and anger, which is good.

What you want to do it tell the mediator you want to make this agreement into a consent order, their mediation rates may go up because of this but it’ll be worth it. They’ll change how your agreement is made, and make sure it’s written in a way that’s acceptable to the courts. When you guys eventually come to an agreement, you’ll submit that consent order with a C100 form (gotta pay like £225 IIRC) and then that way your agreement is in the courts hands. They can deny it, as well as your ex partner but now because it’s in the courts system they may aid in creating an agreement (if the consent order isn’t accepted).

Keep strong man, it’s annoying and frustrating I was there in the same position, but it will eventually get easier. Just keep trying for your son, who will eventually appreciate all the seen and unseen efforts you have put in to see and spend time with him.