Grandparents Rights Grandparents - where do they stand?
By Carol Hill - 09/02/2010
A recent survey showed that over 90% of grandparents are assisting in some form or another and playing a big part in a child’s life. This is a trend of modern family life where mum may have to return to work and where child care is essential.
More Stories
Grandparents 'key' to instilling traditional values in families
Grandparents are taking the lead in teaching grandchildren a host of traditional values and are frequently acting as their confidants according to a new study out today commissioned to mark the launch of BeGrand.net, an important new online resource for grandparents providing information, advice and support to help them with every challenge they may face.
Grandparents' rights - and how to exercise them
On family breakdown, the bulk of attention will, of course, focus upon the couple and their children, but grandparents can be profoundly affected. Left with feelings of grief and loss; they must also watch as their son’s or daughter's life is torn apart. Leading family lawyer Marilyn Stowe sets out the legalities of the situation.
Blunkett backs call to end grandparent pensions penalty
Former Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, David Blunkett MP has thrown his weight behind the campaign to end the pensions penalty for working age grandparents who care for grandchildren.
Could YOU be a professional childminder?
A survey recently found that grandparents provide up to 20 hours of free childcare a week for their grandchildren so that their own children can continue to work - so if that sounds like you, why not become a registered Childminder - and get paid for it?
MPs back call to end grandparent pensions penalty
A cross party group of MPs led by Anne Begg, MP for Aberdeen South, have tabled an early day motion calling on the Government to introduce a National Insurance credit for grandparents of working age who provide 20 hour or more childcare per week. It is thought that as many as 500,000 grandparents are affected.
Parky's call to help grandchildren with hearing problems
Sir Michael Parkinson is calling on grandparents of deaf children in England to get actively involved in an innovative project set to give them much-needed support and encouragement to form a strong bond with the deaf child in their family.
How grandparents can help prevent child abuse tragedies
In the wake of the Baby P scandal, and putting aside the abject response to the tragedy in PMQs this week by baying herds of MPs, several questions spring to mind. One is: excuse me, but haven’t we been here before? Secondly: if we really DO care for the most vulnerable in society, why is there a shortage of social workers in places like Haringey? And thirdly, what role, if any can grandparents play in preventing this?
Childcare by grandparents cuts injury risk to children by half
Having grandparents as child care providers can actually cut the risk of childhood injury by almost half compared to organized daycare or care by the mother or other relatives - according to a new study.
Who will be Grandparent of the Year 2009?
The search is on to find the nation's favourite grandparent to take over the much coveted title of Grandparent of the Year. And if you know someone who you think deserves this title, you can nominate them online. This person might be a relative, or a special older person (50
+) who has influenced your life, without actually being related to you.
Help at hand for 'Greys' rearing the UKs young
With Grandparents Day on October 5th, here are some of the new and very helpful websites and information lines available for the UK's estimated 300,000 grandparents and extended family members who are raising their grandchildren for a variety of reasons. Sadly, the vital role they play is frequently ignored by politicians, and many struggle to raise grandchildren on a pension, coping with ill health and turmoil in the wider family. Many feel isolated and stigmatised, whilst others find great joy in passing down old traditions - and learning new tricks to keep up with the times.
Keeping the family circle together
Broken families have been blamed for the rise in anti-social behaviour and crime, and young people staying locked into welfare rather than making their way in life. So what’s the solution? Pamela Wilson, Chairwoman of Grandparents Action Group UK maintains that at least part of the responsibility must lie with the way that Family Courts operate, and makes suggestions on a better way forward.
Plea from Grandparents Apart - please support our cause!
In our relatively short period of existence, Grandparents Apart have raised the profile of grandparents by lobbying all the UK governments and by issuing press releases through television, radio and magazines. We now ask you to help us continue this work by becoming a member.
"We want access to our grandkids"
Campaigners are asking for YOUR support to give grandparents legal access to their grandchildren if they are taken into care or should tragedy strike the parents.
One in six grandparents now babysitting 40 hours a week
New research shows that grandparents spend on average over 17 hours a month and £20 per day looking after their grandchildren – and one in six spend the equivalent of a week’s full time employment per month caring for grandchildren.
