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Recognition for grandparent carers

Campaigners have welcomed the adoption of a policy amendment by the Liberal Democrats at their recent party conference which would see grandparents and family carers entitled to paid leave from work if they step in to raise a child who cannot live with their parents.

The amendment also called for children living with family (kinship) carers to have access to support from statutory agencies, similar to that available for fostered and adopted children.

There are 200,000 grandparents and family carers raising up to 300,000 children in the UK. Children have usually had very similar experiences to those in the care system (such as parental alcohol or drug misuse, abuse, neglect, domestic violence, death or imprisonment) but most do not receive allowances and support from their local authority.

Grandparents Plus research has found that half (47%) of working kinship carers give up work when a child moves in. Previous polling by the charity has found overwhelming public backing for the issue with seven out of ten people agreeing they should get the same services and support as foster carers and six in ten backing paid leave entitlements.

Sam Smethers, Chief Executive of Grandparents Plus said:

“This is a significant step forward on the road to recognition for grandparents and other family members who step in to raise children, usually in tragic circumstances, when parents can no longer do so.”

Contact our Family Solicitors in Aberdeen

If you need help with a family law matter, including issues around child residence and contact, contact our specialist solicitors on 01224 370 028 or fill in our enquiry form today.

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