One million grandchildren denied access
01/08/2006
By Tony Watts
An estimated one million children in this country are being denied access to their grandparents, says one of the country’s leading women’s groups.
The hundreds of thousands of grandparents who lose regular access to their grandchildren are being backed by Britain's second largest women's group Townswomen's Guilds.
Earlier this month, over 2,000 members from the 41,000-strong movement gathered at the Harrogate International Centre for its national conference in an attempt to bring about positive social change.
Delegates voted overwhelmingly in favour of supporting the issue, which will now form a key element of the organisation's grass roots campaigning and lobbying priorities during the coming year.
Despite the active role that many grandparents play in family life, it is estimated that over one million children are denied contact with their grandparents - often due to divorce or similar breakdown of family relationships. TG will be working to encourage the development of voluntary conciliation and mediation services so fewer disputes end up in court.
Speaking at the conference, Geoff Lawler of the Public Affairs Company said: “Grandparents have no automatic right to apply for contact with their grandchildren, If agreement cannot be reached with the parents over access, permission has to be sought from a judge for a claim to be made and for the case to be heard in court.
“The second stage is the court case itself where a grandparent must apply for a contact order to enable them to see or otherwise contact their grandchild.
“The process is complicated and expensive. It is estimated that the first stage alone can cost up to £1,000. Many grandparents lack the means to meet those obligations and the confidence to cope with the legal processes, particularly as they often have to forego legal representation.”
Mature Times says:
The breakdown of the traditional extended family is at the heart of many of society’s mostly deeply rooted problems.
The “grandparent generation” (and in this you can include great aunts and uncles) has always played a huge and invariably positive part in youngsters’ lives - and provided additional role models.
During difficult times, such as divorce and separation, this help can be even more vital for children.
But, seemingly, the rights of grandparents are still way down the list of priorities for the courts. The grandchildren themselves - often caught between warring partners - are in no position to fight for their rights. If enough organisations and individuals can stand together, perhaps lasting positive change can be made.
An estimated one million children in this country are being denied access to their grandparents, says one of the country’s leading women’s groups.
The hundreds of thousands of grandparents who lose regular access to their grandchildren are being backed by Britain's second largest women's group Townswomen's Guilds.
Earlier this month, over 2,000 members from the 41,000-strong movement gathered at the Harrogate International Centre for its national conference in an attempt to bring about positive social change.
Delegates voted overwhelmingly in favour of supporting the issue, which will now form a key element of the organisation's grass roots campaigning and lobbying priorities during the coming year.
Despite the active role that many grandparents play in family life, it is estimated that over one million children are denied contact with their grandparents - often due to divorce or similar breakdown of family relationships. TG will be working to encourage the development of voluntary conciliation and mediation services so fewer disputes end up in court.
Speaking at the conference, Geoff Lawler of the Public Affairs Company said: “Grandparents have no automatic right to apply for contact with their grandchildren, If agreement cannot be reached with the parents over access, permission has to be sought from a judge for a claim to be made and for the case to be heard in court.
“The second stage is the court case itself where a grandparent must apply for a contact order to enable them to see or otherwise contact their grandchild.
“The process is complicated and expensive. It is estimated that the first stage alone can cost up to £1,000. Many grandparents lack the means to meet those obligations and the confidence to cope with the legal processes, particularly as they often have to forego legal representation.”
Mature Times says:
The breakdown of the traditional extended family is at the heart of many of society’s mostly deeply rooted problems.
The “grandparent generation” (and in this you can include great aunts and uncles) has always played a huge and invariably positive part in youngsters’ lives - and provided additional role models.
During difficult times, such as divorce and separation, this help can be even more vital for children.
But, seemingly, the rights of grandparents are still way down the list of priorities for the courts. The grandchildren themselves - often caught between warring partners - are in no position to fight for their rights. If enough organisations and individuals can stand together, perhaps lasting positive change can be made.