diff --git a/admin/src/schedule/OverrideEditor.test.tsx b/admin/src/schedule/OverrideEditor.test.tsx
index 0dc4176..0a2c4bb 100644
--- a/admin/src/schedule/OverrideEditor.test.tsx
+++ b/admin/src/schedule/OverrideEditor.test.tsx
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 import { afterEach, beforeEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
 import { cleanup, fireEvent, render, screen, waitFor, within } from "@testing-library/react";
+import App from "../App";
 import ScheduleTab from "./ScheduleTab";
 import { CONSEQUENCE_DEBOUNCE_MS, isIsoDate, isValidRange } from "./OverrideEditor";
 import type { AdminChild } from "../api/definitions";
@@ -93,6 +94,10 @@ function headline(): string {
   return screen.getByTestId("override-consequence-headline").textContent ?? "";
 }
 
+function warningBody(): string {
+  return screen.getByTestId("override-consequence").querySelector(".override-warning-body")?.textContent ?? "";
+}
+
 function saveButton(): HTMLButtonElement {
   return screen.getByRole("button", { name: "Save override" }) as HTMLButtonElement;
 }
@@ -162,10 +167,9 @@ describe("OverrideEditor", () => {
     expect(consequenceBodies()).toEqual([
       { child_id: 1, start_date: TODAY, end_date: TODAY, is_present: false },
     ]);
-    const warning = screen.getByTestId("override-consequence");
-    expect(warning.textContent).toContain("Declan");
-    expect(warning.textContent).toContain("Sep 23");
-    expect(warning.textContent).toContain("Completed days are untouched.");
+    expect(warningBody()).toBe(
+      "Declan's open tasks Sep 23 are removed while away. Completed days are untouched.",
+    );
     expect(saveButton().disabled).toBe(false);
 
     consequence = () => jsonResponse({ removed: 9 });
@@ -177,7 +181,9 @@ describe("OverrideEditor", () => {
       end_date: "2026-09-27",
       is_present: false,
     });
-    expect(warning.textContent).toContain("Sep 23 – 27");
+    expect(warningBody()).toBe(
+      "Declan's open tasks Sep 23 – 27 are removed while away. Completed days are untouched.",
+    );
 
     consequence = () => jsonResponse({ removed: 2 });
     fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole("button", { name: "Maeve" }));
@@ -188,12 +194,16 @@ describe("OverrideEditor", () => {
       end_date: "2026-09-27",
       is_present: false,
     });
-    expect(warning.textContent).toContain("Maeve");
+    expect(warningBody()).toBe(
+      "Maeve's open tasks Sep 23 – 27 are removed while away. Completed days are untouched.",
+    );
 
     // A Home override removes nothing by definition: no request, count 0.
     fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole("button", { name: "Home" }));
     expect(headline()).toBe("This removes 0 upcoming tasks");
-    expect(warning.textContent).toContain("Completed days are untouched.");
+    expect(warningBody()).toBe(
+      "Maeve is home Sep 23 – 27, so no tasks are removed. Completed days are untouched.",
+    );
     await pastDebounce();
     expect(consequenceBodies()).toHaveLength(3);
   });
@@ -208,8 +218,8 @@ describe("OverrideEditor", () => {
     await openEditor();
     setDate("Through", "2026-09-25");
     await waitFor(() => expect(headline()).toBe("This removes 3 upcoming tasks"));
-    expect(screen.getByTestId("override-consequence").textContent).toContain(
-      "Completed days are untouched.",
+    expect(warningBody()).toBe(
+      "Declan's open tasks Sep 23 – 25 are removed while away. Completed days are untouched.",
     );
   });
 
@@ -261,6 +271,19 @@ describe("OverrideEditor", () => {
     expect(calls().some((c) => c.method === "POST" && c.path === OVERRIDES_PATH)).toBe(false);
   });
 
+  it("a malformed From date sends no consequence request and cannot be saved", async () => {
+    await openEditor();
+    await waitFor(() => expect(consequenceBodies()).toHaveLength(1));
+
+    setDate("From", "2026-02-30");
+    expect(headline()).toBe("Choose a valid date range");
+    expect(saveButton().disabled).toBe(true);
+    await pastDebounce();
+    expect(consequenceBodies()).toHaveLength(1);
+    fireEvent.click(saveButton());
+    expect(calls().some((c) => c.method === "POST" && c.path === OVERRIDES_PATH)).toBe(false);
+  });
+
   it("Save sends the exact POST body, closes the editor and shows the new row", async () => {
     await openEditor();
     setDate("From", "2026-09-24");
@@ -383,6 +406,120 @@ describe("OverrideEditor", () => {
   });
 });
 
+describe("OverrideEditor focus", () => {
+  beforeEach(() => {
+    sessionStorage.clear();
+    storeTokens({ access_token: "at-123", expires_in: 600 });
+    overrides = [...INITIAL_OVERRIDES];
+    consequence = () => jsonResponse({ removed: 4 });
+    createResponse = (body) => {
+      const created = { id: 50, note: null, ...body } as PresenceOverride;
+      overrides = [...overrides, created];
+      return jsonResponse(created, 201);
+    };
+    fetchMock = vi.fn(async (url: string, init?: RequestInit) => routeFetch(url, init));
+    vi.stubGlobal("fetch", fetchMock);
+  });
+
+  afterEach(() => {
+    cleanup();
+    vi.unstubAllGlobals();
+  });
+
+  function dialog(): HTMLElement {
+    return screen.getByRole("dialog", { name: "Presence override" });
+  }
+
+  function addButton(): HTMLElement {
+    return screen.getByRole("button", { name: "Add" });
+  }
+
+  it("moves focus into the editor on open", async () => {
+    await openEditor();
+    expect(document.activeElement).toBe(screen.getByRole("heading", { name: "Presence override" }));
+    expect(dialog().contains(document.activeElement)).toBe(true);
+  });
+
+  it("keeps Tab and Shift+Tab inside the editor", async () => {
+    await openEditor();
+    await waitFor(() => expect(saveButton().disabled).toBe(false));
+    const back = screen.getByRole("button", { name: "Back" });
+
+    saveButton().focus();
+    fireEvent.keyDown(saveButton(), { key: "Tab" });
+    expect(document.activeElement).toBe(back);
+
+    fireEvent.keyDown(back, { key: "Tab", shiftKey: true });
+    expect(document.activeElement).toBe(saveButton());
+
+    // From the focused heading (not in the tab order) Shift+Tab wraps to the end.
+    const title = screen.getByRole("heading", { name: "Presence override" });
+    title.focus();
+    fireEvent.keyDown(title, { key: "Tab", shiftKey: true });
+    expect(document.activeElement).toBe(saveButton());
+  });
+
+  it("makes the tab bar inert while open and restores it on close", async () => {
+    render(<App />);
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole("tab", { name: "Schedule" }));
+    await screen.findByTestId("pattern-1");
+    fireEvent.click(addButton());
+    await screen.findByRole("heading", { name: "Presence override" });
+
+    const tabbar = document.querySelector(".admin-tabbar") as HTMLElement;
+    expect(tabbar.hasAttribute("inert")).toBe(true);
+    expect(tabbar.getAttribute("aria-hidden")).toBe("true");
+    expect(dialog().closest("[inert]")).toBeNull();
+
+    fireEvent.keyDown(dialog(), { key: "Escape" });
+    await screen.findByTestId("pattern-1");
+    expect(tabbar.hasAttribute("inert")).toBe(false);
+    expect(tabbar.hasAttribute("aria-hidden")).toBe(false);
+  });
+
+  it("Escape cancels without writing and returns focus to Add", async () => {
+    await openEditor();
+    fireEvent.keyDown(document.activeElement as HTMLElement, { key: "Escape" });
+    await screen.findByTestId("pattern-1");
+    expect(screen.queryByRole("dialog")).toBeNull();
+    expect(document.activeElement).toBe(addButton());
+    expect(calls().some((c) => c.method === "POST" && c.path === OVERRIDES_PATH)).toBe(false);
+  });
+
+  it("Escape does nothing while saving; focus returns to Add after the save", async () => {
+    const gate = deferred();
+    fetchMock.mockImplementation(async (url: string, init?: RequestInit) => {
+      const path = new URL(url, "http://x").pathname;
+      if (path === OVERRIDES_PATH && init?.method === "POST") await gate.promise;
+      return routeFetch(url, init);
+    });
+    await openEditor();
+    await waitFor(() => expect(saveButton().disabled).toBe(false));
+    fireEvent.click(saveButton());
+    expect(screen.getByRole("button", { name: "Saving…" })).toBeTruthy();
+
+    fireEvent.keyDown(dialog(), { key: "Escape" });
+    expect(screen.getByRole("dialog")).toBeTruthy();
+
+    gate.resolve(new Response(null));
+    await screen.findByTestId("override-50");
+    expect(screen.queryByRole("dialog")).toBeNull();
+    expect(document.activeElement).toBe(addButton());
+  });
+
+  it("Back and Cancel return focus to Add", async () => {
+    await openEditor();
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole("button", { name: "Back" }));
+    await screen.findByTestId("pattern-1");
+    expect(document.activeElement).toBe(addButton());
+
+    fireEvent.click(addButton());
+    fireEvent.click(await screen.findByRole("button", { name: "Cancel" }));
+    await screen.findByTestId("pattern-1");
+    expect(document.activeElement).toBe(addButton());
+  });
+});
+
 describe("range validation", () => {
   it("accepts only strict ISO calendar dates in order", () => {
     expect(isIsoDate("2026-09-23")).toBe(true);
diff --git a/admin/src/schedule/OverrideEditor.tsx b/admin/src/schedule/OverrideEditor.tsx
index 44a1cc5..964c6ad 100644
--- a/admin/src/schedule/OverrideEditor.tsx
+++ b/admin/src/schedule/OverrideEditor.tsx
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
  * until that count is on screen. Saving only ever sends the create request:
  * the API never removes an instance that already has a completion event (D-005).
  */
-import { useEffect, useRef, useState } from "react";
+import { useEffect, useRef, useState, type KeyboardEvent as ReactKeyboardEvent } from "react";
 import { ApiForbiddenError } from "../api/client";
 import { ApiRequestError, type AdminChild } from "../api/definitions";
 import {
@@ -45,6 +45,32 @@ function errorMessage(error: unknown, fallback: string): string {
   return fallback;
 }
 
+const FOCUSABLE =
+  'button:not([disabled]), input:not([disabled]), select:not([disabled]), textarea:not([disabled]), [href], [tabindex]:not([tabindex="-1"])';
+
+/**
+ * Make everything outside `root` inert (siblings of each ancestor up to
+ * <body>), so the tab bar behind the pushed screen cannot take focus.
+ * Returns the undo.
+ */
+function inertOutside(root: HTMLElement): () => void {
+  const made: HTMLElement[] = [];
+  for (let node: HTMLElement = root; node.parentElement && node !== document.body; node = node.parentElement) {
+    for (const sibling of Array.from(node.parentElement.children)) {
+      if (sibling === node || !(sibling instanceof HTMLElement) || sibling.hasAttribute("inert")) continue;
+      sibling.setAttribute("inert", "");
+      sibling.setAttribute("aria-hidden", "true");
+      made.push(sibling);
+    }
+  }
+  return () => {
+    for (const el of made) {
+      el.removeAttribute("inert");
+      el.removeAttribute("aria-hidden");
+    }
+  };
+}
+
 function tasksPhrase(count: number): string {
   return `${count} upcoming ${count === 1 ? "task" : "tasks"}`;
 }
@@ -76,6 +102,37 @@ export default function OverrideEditor({
   const [error, setError] = useState<string | null>(null);
   // Every form change bumps the sequence; only the latest request may render.
   const requestSeq = useRef(0);
+  const screenRef = useRef<HTMLDivElement>(null);
+  const titleRef = useRef<HTMLHeadingElement>(null);
+
+  // Modal focus: move in on open and keep the background out of reach. The
+  // opener hands focus back to its Add control once this screen closes.
+  useEffect(() => {
+    titleRef.current?.focus();
+    return screenRef.current ? inertOutside(screenRef.current) : undefined;
+  }, []);
+
+  function onKeyDown(event: ReactKeyboardEvent<HTMLDivElement>) {
+    if (event.key === "Escape") {
+      event.preventDefault();
+      if (!saving) onCancel();
+      return;
+    }
+    if (event.key !== "Tab" || !screenRef.current) return;
+    const focusable = Array.from(screenRef.current.querySelectorAll<HTMLElement>(FOCUSABLE));
+    if (focusable.length === 0) return;
+    const first = focusable[0];
+    const last = focusable[focusable.length - 1];
+    const current = document.activeElement;
+    const outside = !focusable.includes(current as HTMLElement);
+    if (event.shiftKey && (current === first || outside)) {
+      event.preventDefault();
+      last.focus();
+    } else if (!event.shiftKey && (current === last || outside)) {
+      event.preventDefault();
+      first.focus();
+    }
+  }
 
   const child = childOptions.find((c) => c.id === childId) ?? childOptions[0];
   const rangeValid = isValidRange(startDate, endDate);
@@ -155,13 +212,20 @@ export default function OverrideEditor({
   }
 
   return (
-    <div className="override-screen" role="dialog" aria-modal="true" aria-labelledby="override-title">
+    <div
+      ref={screenRef}
+      className="override-screen"
+      role="dialog"
+      aria-modal="true"
+      aria-labelledby="override-title"
+      onKeyDown={onKeyDown}
+    >
       <header className="override-header">
         <button type="button" className="override-back" aria-label="Back" onClick={onCancel}>
           <ChevronLeftGlyph size={20} />
         </button>
         <div>
-          <h2 className="override-title" id="override-title">
+          <h2 className="override-title" id="override-title" ref={titleRef} tabIndex={-1}>
             Presence override
           </h2>
           <p className="override-sub">Beats the custody pattern for these dates</p>
diff --git a/admin/src/schedule/ScheduleTab.tsx b/admin/src/schedule/ScheduleTab.tsx
index f367d63..6bd5eb4 100644
--- a/admin/src/schedule/ScheduleTab.tsx
+++ b/admin/src/schedule/ScheduleTab.tsx
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
  * Every day's cycle position comes from the anchor date (./cycle.ts), never
  * from ISO week numbers or week parity (D-004).
  */
-import { useEffect, useState } from "react";
+import { useEffect, useRef, useState } from "react";
 import { ApiForbiddenError } from "../api/client";
 import { ApiRequestError, fetchChildren, type AdminChild } from "../api/definitions";
 import {
@@ -274,6 +274,15 @@ export default function ScheduleTab({ today = localTodayIso() }: ScheduleTabProp
   const [save, setSave] = useState<SaveState>({ kind: "idle" });
   const [editorOpen, setEditorOpen] = useState(false);
   const [deletion, setDeletion] = useState<DeleteState>({ kind: "idle" });
+  const addRef = useRef<HTMLButtonElement>(null);
+  const editorWasOpen = useRef(false);
+
+  // The editor replaces this screen, so Add is remounted when it closes;
+  // hand focus back to it then.
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (editorWasOpen.current && !editorOpen) addRef.current?.focus();
+    editorWasOpen.current = editorOpen;
+  }, [editorOpen]);
 
   /** Reload children, schedules and overrides in place (no loading flash). */
   const refresh = () =>
@@ -498,7 +507,12 @@ export default function ScheduleTab({ today = localTodayIso() }: ScheduleTabProp
 
         <div className="schedule-section-head">
           <h3 className="schedule-section-label">Overrides</h3>
-          <button type="button" className="schedule-text-action" onClick={() => setEditorOpen(true)}>
+          <button
+            ref={addRef}
+            type="button"
+            className="schedule-text-action"
+            onClick={() => setEditorOpen(true)}
+          >
             Add
           </button>
         </div>