uk Legal, police, prison & official contact banned from a place i need • exclusion order from workplace • banned from work site • banned from school campus • barred from university • notice to leave premises • told not to return • location ban order • restraining order exclusion zone • bail conditions exclusion area • criminal behaviour order exclusion • civil injunction stay away • access needed for childcare • family contact location restriction • collecting belongings after ban • vary an order to allow access • appeal a ban from premises • confused about what the order means • risk of arrest for breach

What to do if…
you receive an order banning you from a place you need to access for work, school, or family

Short answer

Don’t go back to the place until you have the restriction in writing and you’ve confirmed exactly what it bans (and whether any supervised/limited access is allowed). Your next step is to ask the issuing body for written clarification and request a lawful, practical workaround for urgent access (work, education, collecting essentials, child arrangements).

Do not do these things

Don’t “just pop in quickly” to explain or negotiate in person — even a short visit can be treated as a breach if the restriction is court- or police-imposed.
Don’t rely on informal permission from a receptionist, a manager, a friend, or a verbal “it’s fine.”
Don’t ask someone else to contact or pressure a protected person on your behalf if the wording restricts contact — depending on the order/conditions, that may be treated as indirect contact.
Don’t contact the protected person (or their relatives) to negotiate access if the restriction is linked to harassment/stalking/domestic abuse or includes a no-contact term.
Don’t delete or edit messages/emails about the incident; keep them as-is.

What to do now

Work out what kind of “ban” this is (because the rules differ).
Look at the document and note: who issued it (court / police / employer or school / private venue), exactly which places it covers (one building vs a whole site/campus), the dates, and any “no contact” or “exclusion zone” wording.
Get a clean written copy and read the exact wording.
If you only have a photo/screenshot, or it was said verbally, request the written version immediately from the issuer (court office, police contact, HR/school administration, venue management). If boundaries are unclear (maps, “within X metres”), assume the strictest interpretation until clarified.
If it’s a court order (for example a restraining order, a Criminal Behaviour Order, or a civil injunction): treat it as “no entry” unless the court changes it.
- Note the case number/court name on the document.
- Contact a solicitor urgently (criminal or civil depending on the order). Ask about applying to vary or discharge the order so you can safely access essentials (work shifts, exams, medical appointments, child handovers, collecting belongings).
- If you can’t afford a solicitor, contact a local legal advice service and ask specifically about varying an order to allow limited access.
If it’s police-imposed conditions (for example pre-charge bail conditions): ask about formal variation and get it in writing.
- Contact the named officer/case team (or the custody/bail point of contact) and request written clarification of what you can and can’t do.
- If you need access for a specific reason (shift, exam, collecting medication), ask how to request a formal variation.
- If you’re told “no,” ask what the next formal route is (in some situations there is a magistrates’ court process to reconsider police bail).
If it’s a workplace/school/venue ban (a “do not return / trespass-style” notice): ask for the review/appeal route and a practical access workaround.
In writing, ask for:
- the policy or decision letter,
- where to send an appeal/review request (and any deadline), and
- an interim plan so you can meet urgent needs without entering prohibited areas (remote work/learning, alternative site, scheduled reception handover, escorted appointment, delivery of belongings).
Protect your job/education position without breaching anything.
Message HR/your manager or the school safeguarding/student office:
- “I’ve received a formal notice restricting me from attending [place]. I’m seeking clarification and want to comply. Can we arrange an interim alternative (remote work/alternative site/online attendance/collection of essential items) while this is reviewed?”
  Keep it factual and calm.
If you must retrieve essential items (passport, medication, keys, child items): request a controlled handover.
Ask for a pre-agreed time and method (e.g., items brought to reception/security). If there’s conflict risk, ask whether an escorted collection can be arranged. Do not turn up unannounced.
Make a quick “compliance log” now.
Note when you received the notice/order, who served it, what it says, and every attempt you make to clarify or request a workaround. Keep copies of emails/messages.

What can wait

You don’t need to decide today whether to challenge the order “on principle.” First stabilise: comply, clarify the terms, and secure a lawful plan for urgent access.
You don’t need to write a long statement, collect witness accounts, or post about it on social media right now.
You don’t need the perfect appeal letter immediately; you do need the correct route, any deadlines, and safe interim arrangements.

Important reassurance

It’s normal to feel panicked and trapped when a place you rely on suddenly becomes off-limits. The safest early move is not persuading someone at the door — it’s preventing an accidental breach while you use the proper route to clarify terms and request limited, controlled access for essentials.

Scope note

This is first-step guidance to help you avoid a breach and buy time. The best next steps depend heavily on what kind of restriction it is (court order, police bail conditions, or an institutional/venue notice), and you may need a solicitor or specialist adviser to change it.

Important note

This is general information, not legal advice. If the restriction is court- or police-imposed, breaching it can be a criminal offence or lead to arrest. When in doubt, treat the restriction as strict until you have written clarification from the issuing body or advice from a qualified professional.

Additional Resources

Support us

What to do if…you receive an order banning you from a place you need to access for work, school, or family