The Charter for Grandchildren. (The Final Stage)

Dear All

We have received a latter from Mr David Crawford Head of Glasgow Social Services saying he will be sending a report on this issue to Ms Suzanne Millar (below)

Dear Mr Deuchars

Thank you for this correspondence.

I would be interested in more information on which section of the Scottish Government or Executive developed the Grandchildren's Charter. I would also be interested in which current Social Work Policies or procedures you think require to be changed to ensure their coherence with the Grandchildren Charter.

Yours sincerely

Susanne Millar
Head of Practice Audit/Children and Families
Susanne.Millar@glasgow.gov.uk

I have sent Ms Millar the information required to implement The Charter for Grandchildren. Now it is your chance to let her know why our grandchildren need their grandparents in their lives. When the Charter is totally in place we will be contacting every Council in Scotland to follow suit. Then on to Engerland, Wales and Ireland.

What is, ‘The Charter for Grandchildren’?

The Charter for Grandchildren is for everyone especially professionals like social services to look more closely at the role grandparents can play in their grandchildren’s lives for their physical, mental, emotional and spiritual welfare. To keep children in a stable home environment and prevent them going into care or to strangers. It has been proven that most children brought up in care are non-achievers and turn to gangs and crime because of the lack of family values in their lives.
The treatment of children depends on whether they are the thugs or good citizens of the future.

Where did it come from?

The Charter for Grandchildren was created by a Scottish Government by consulting a stakeholders group made of of various children’s agencies and Grandparents Apart UK.

Why was it created?

Grandparents Apart UK presented evidence to the government that children were being deprived of their grandparents love, affection and protection because the law states that grandparents have no legal rights to their own grandchildren. A vote in the Scottish Parliament for grandparents to have legal right of contact was defeated by the Scottish Labour Party instructing its member to vote against it. Because of the strong evidence presented the government realised there was an urgent need for recognising the role grandparents can play in children’s lives and opted for the Charter for Grandchildren but only in advisory form.

The Charter for Grandchildren does not in any way impinge on parental rights. We believe Parents always come first in a child’s life and grandparents a close second if the parents are absent or are not able to look after them.

About the Charter.

The government spent £30000 00p on advertising the charter but it was a drop in the ocean. The Charter for Grandchildren has been heavily promoted and monitored by us Grandparents Apart UK with a £10k grant from the Big Lottery in a tour of Scotland and the evidence shows that professionals especially social services have not been adhering to the advice given in the Charter and grandparents are still being by passed for fostering /adopting their grandchildren. Going to strangers which destroys their stability and respect of society..

Has anyone accepted the Charter?

Yes, Glasgow City Council accepted the Charter on 18th February 2010 and it is now in the hands of the Glasgow Head of social services . On 19th June 2010 they sent us a letter, Quote, it is my intention to take a report on this issue to Suzanne Millar the Education, Children and Family Policy Committee in August. Unquote. I’m sure Ms Millar would be happy to hear your story on the need for The Charter for Grandchildren.

As the Charter for Grandchildren was created by a Government with the best legal teams in the country and The City of Glasgow Full Council agreeing with it we are delighted that our grandchildren should at last have our support. Anything that protects children in the rising figures of child abuse amid the drug and alcohol problems of today should be jumped at. Of course the cost. Grandparents are often more than willing to take care of their grandchildren with huge savings to the public purse.

Jimmy Deuchars
Grandparents Apart UK
22 Alness crescent
Glasgow G52 1PJ
0141 882 5658
http://www.grandparentsapart.co.uk