Re: Charter for Grandchildren in Wales

Gwenda Thomas AM
Deputy Minister for Social Services
The National Assembly for Wales
Cardiff
Cardiff Bay
CF99 1NA




Re: Charter for Grandchildren

During the Business Statement on 23rd March I requested a Statement on the role of grandparents in safeguarding children in Wales.

The Minister for Business and Budget, Jane Hutt responded that I should write to you.

You will be aware that I have raised the issue of a Proposed Charter for Grandchildren with you previously.

I have now been contacted by the grandparents who advise that the step-father has been charged with Assault Occasionally Bodily Harm upon one child and Common Assault by Battery upon another.

It is reported that the mother has also been charged with wilful child neglect in respect of one of the children.

My constituent states “It returns to grandparents having no rights as we were told at the outset by the Child and Family Unit in Colwyn Bay, however had there been a Charter for Grandchildren in place that gave children the right to see their grandparents if appropriate then this case would have reached the protection of these children sooner.”

I would be grateful therefore if you could give this matter your further consideration and confirm your intended course of action so that broken families in conflict may be helped to mend.

Regards




Mark Isherwood AM
Shadow Minister for Social Justice and Housing