Grunfeld believes Government recommendations concerning grandparents’ access to grandchildren in the event of a divorce or separation are very much to be applauded, although they have been some time in coming.  The New Parenting Agreements will explicitly set out contact arrangements for grandparents that can be used in court, if arrangements are broken by either parent.

Grunfeld head of family law at Howards Solicitors states: “These recommendations are long overdue as The Children Act 1989 neglected to give grandparents any contact powers. Saying that, the new proposals recognise the crucial role grandparents play in many family lives with financial, childcare and emotional support.”

However Grunfeld expresses a note of caution over this part of the sweeping review of the family justice regime: “The collaborative approach being promoted by the Government follows the outlook of forward thinking family law practitioners.”

However, in practice such arrangements need to be respected and binding. We have seen in-built weaknesses regarding the obligation for divorcing couples to seek mediation before going to court. I don’t think NPAs will follow suit, but flaws in other proposals to the family justice system do not provide confidence.”

Grunfeld believes the Government’s overhaul of the family justice regime could go even further: “Grandparents need to get leave just to be able to apply to the courts for permission to take care of grandchildren. I think this unnecessary barrier should be removed. The law needs to put the interests of the child first. If grandparents can supply the love and needs that a child must have they should be considered as guardians, especially if there are solid reasons for believing the parents cannot.”

Grunfeld concludes: “The Government is heading in the right direction, but still has a little way to go before family law completely conforms to the reality of many family situations.”

More information: http://www.howardssolicitors.co.uk/services/family-law/

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The inaugural grannynet course will be held in The Old School in Cuckfield, from 10am until 4pm on Saturday, 9th October. The class will cover topics such as issues surrounding feeding and sleeping, the latest guidelines on basic first aid as well as the minefield that is modern-day equipment. The class aims to give the granny graduates the confidence to be really ‘hands on’ when the baby arrives. A second class is also being planned, aimed at those about to become ‘granny-carers’ – the army of grandparents providing crucial childcare to one in three working mothers . This class will discuss issues relating to weaning, learning and discipline.

Another important role that the course will play is in forging relationships amongst the grandmothers. These substantial communities of over-fifty-year-old women, who are caring for their grandchildren, are currently fulfilling their roles with no support network. Grannynet hopes that their courses will establish a meeting place for today’s grandparents, in the same way that the National Childbirth Trust has for mothers.

Grannynet was established in 2007 by Verity Gill, as a community-based website aimed at British grandmothers that look after their grandchildren. Commenting about the grannynet course Verity says: “We are really excited about the launch of this initiative. My mother cares for my two children one day every week and would have loved the opportunity to go on a course like ours. From everyday issues, like how to secure a baby in one of the latest car seats, to vital information such as which and how much over the counter medicines to administer, we hope to make sure our grannies are fully armed to do the best possible job they can for their growing families.”

The grannynet course is being offered at a special introductory price of £100 per couple. Refreshments & lunch are included. To sign up please call Charlotte on 07956 227877 or email classes@grannynet.co.uk.

To register your interest in a future grannynet class and to become a member, visit grannynet

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