Grandparents' Rights in the U.K.

In many families, grandparents play a significant role in the raising of their children's children. Whether providing full or part-time child care for their grandchildren, or simply spending time with them as part of their extended family unit, grandparents make a difference in the lives of millions of children in the U.K. and the world at large. However, grandparents whose children are facing divorce or other unfortunate circumstances may be surprised to learn how limited grandparents' rights are in the U.K.

Grandparents in the Lives of their Grandchildren
According to The Telegraph, U.K.-based grandparents are often forgotten by social services when it comes time to place children in foster care. In addition, The Mirror reports that grandparents are frequently overlooked in cases of separation or divorce, and must seek opportunities for visitation with limited support from the judicial system. Add to that difficulty in claiming child care credits if they choose to quit their job in order to be a nanny for their grandchildren, and grandparents in the U.K. appear to be at a disadvantage when it comes to the little ones in their lives. This is especially disconcerting, as some reports estimate that grandparents provide almost $4 billion worth of child care to British families each year, according to The Guardian.

Established Grandparents' Rights in the U.K.
Thankfully, grandparents' rights in the U.K. have seen a great deal of attention in recent years, in part due to conservative Tories pushing for grandparents to be granted more rights where their grandchildren are concerned. The Mirror alludes to a report expected in the near future that may note the importance of such grandparents' rights. From child care credits to the ability to be a carer for grandchildren in the event that they are removed from their home or a death occurs, the powers that be may be starting to realize that grandparents play a crucial role in caring for youth in the U.K.

Grandparents Seeking Rights to Grandchildren in the U.K.
In addition to government intervention, several non-profit organizations throughout the U.K. work toward helping grandparents earn rights to their grandchildren. Several of these, including the Grandparents' Association and Family Matters Institute, may be able to help grandparents in their quest to gain visitation rights, caring rights or custody rights. Otherwise, grandparents may need to consider seeking outside counsel in their legal quests for rights, which can be costly.

The U.K.'s Mature Times suggests that grandparents who are currently seeking rights to their grandchildren after the parents have separated or divorced do the following: communicate their wishes to both sets of parents; strive to facilitate a positive outcome between mom and dad. In situations where this isn't possible, or in situations where grandparents are seeking rights from a council or social services, seeking legal counsel can help in arguing the best case possible.

When divorce or other unfortunate circumstances take hold of a family, grandparents in the U.K. may be surprised to learn how few rights they have when it comes to their grandchildren. Non-profit organizations, local councils and conservatives may be tantamount in changing things for eager grandparents, looking to make a difference in the lives of their (and their country's) grandchildren.

Resources:

The Mirror; Tory Pledge on Grandparents' Rights; http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/latest/2009/10/26/tory-pledge-on-grandparents-rights-115875-21773673/

Telegraph; Call to give grandparents access rights after divorce; http://www.telegraph.co.uk/family/5348727/Call-to-give-grandparents-access-rights-after-divorce.html

Mature Times; Grandparents' Rights-and how to exercise them; http://www.maturetimes.co.uk/node/8765

Guardian; Grandparent Carers-the invisible industry; http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/may/18/ageing-britain-grandparents-carers