42% of grandparents lose contact after parental separation

New research to be published this week by Families Need Fathers, The Grandparents Association and The Family Matters Institute has found that 42% of grandparents lose contact with their grandchildren after parental separation.

These three organisations will set out why they feel grandparents are so important to children and families in the 21st century. Even though grandparents can have extremely close bonds with their grandchildren and will often provide the majority of childcare whilst the children are young, these bonds can be shattered when the parents’ relationship breaks down. A grandparent will not have the automatic right to make an application to the court in the way that a parent can but they can seek permission to make an application, and the court will always put the best interests of the children first if they have to decide whether an order for contact with the child should be made.

Grandparents Association advice line (01279 444964); Grandparents Apart Self Help (0141 882 5658 or 01506 410 554)