Children need stability.
Under normal circumstances our firm belief is that children should have two parents in their lives and grandparents as a close back up if the parents are not available.
The Charter for Grandchildren focuses purely on the best interests of the children. Grandparents do not have any more rights to their grandchildren than they have at the moment. It is for professionals to consider seriously the role grandparents can play in the lives of their grandchildren (or a reason given for not complying) rather than the children suffering forced adoption, going to strangers or into care
The Charter for Grandchildren was created by a Scottish Labour Government with our input and other interested groups. Our group was praised by the justice minister from the floor of parliament for the work we had done.. The Charter was created as advisory but has been completely ignored by professionals working in the welfare of children. Every day we hear of children cut of from the stability that their grandparents love and protection could provide.
Glasgow City Chambers with cross party support ,enthusiastically voted to accept the Charter for Grandchild on 18th February 2010. The Full Council gave Grandparents Apart UK a standing ovation for their work in this field.
It is well known that a big percentage of children brought up in care become non achievers in life and usually end up joining gangs for that family stability feeling of belonging that they were robbed of.
We sent out a questionnaire to 500 grandparents asking them how they were received when they were anxious about their grandchildren’s welfare. The results were condemning. Irrelevant/indifferent treatment by the courts, lawyers not giving the correct legal advice and the social services with phantom meetings and false reporting even telling children their family does not want to see them, and we have the proof of these in our book “Grandparents Speak out for vulnerable Children”
Children need to be kept in a stable home environment wherever possible or there is a good chance they grow up to be the thugs of the future.
We need you to inform your local authority with the form enclosed to accept the “Charter for Grandchildren” in its entirety because it was created by a legal team of the Scottish government who’s only focus was the best interests of children.
We were runner up in
Glasgow Council Community & Evening Times Team Award Finalists 26th April 2010
Check out our blog to view our certificate.
http://chatterboxblogforyou.blogspot.com/2010/03/grandparents-apart-uk.htm1
Groups in-
Kilmarnock - 01560 322 937 Llandudno Wales.- 01492 874 395
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Violence against children increases
http://www.cypnow.co.uk/bulletins/InCare/news/998367/?DCMP=EMC-InCare
Violence against children increases
By Emily Watson
Children & Young People Now
21 April 2010
Violent attacks on children increased last year, according to a study of hospital admissions published by Cardiff University.
The annual survey is based on data from a sample of 44 accident and emergency departments and walk-in centres across England and Wales.
The number of children aged 10 and under attending emergency centres because of violence-related injuries rose by 7.5 per cent in 2009, the largest increase among all age groups.
Chris Cloke, NSPCC head of child protection awareness, said: "It is worrying that there is an increase in the number of children brought to hospital with injuries from violence. We need to understand the reasons for this increase, but it is yet another reminder that children of all ages experience violence.
"Such information must be passed to all professionals involved with the child so that any necessary action can be taken to protect that child. We know that in too many cases where children have died or suffered serious harm, signs of possible abuse were not properly shared or acted on."
The study, which was conducted by Cardiff's Violence and Society Research Group, started in 2001 and highlights an overall decline in the number of violence related hospital admissions, including the number of children who became victims of violent attacks in the next age bracket — 11- to 17-year-olds — which fell by 6 per cent.
Violence and Society Research Group director Professor Jonathan Shepherd said: "We should remember that the overall trend remains downwards. Our study has shown a fall of just over 15 per cent since 2001. However, this year's figures and last year's show there is still some way to go in tackling serious violence in this country."
Violence against children increases
By Emily Watson
Children & Young People Now
21 April 2010
Violent attacks on children increased last year, according to a study of hospital admissions published by Cardiff University.
The annual survey is based on data from a sample of 44 accident and emergency departments and walk-in centres across England and Wales.
The number of children aged 10 and under attending emergency centres because of violence-related injuries rose by 7.5 per cent in 2009, the largest increase among all age groups.
Chris Cloke, NSPCC head of child protection awareness, said: "It is worrying that there is an increase in the number of children brought to hospital with injuries from violence. We need to understand the reasons for this increase, but it is yet another reminder that children of all ages experience violence.
"Such information must be passed to all professionals involved with the child so that any necessary action can be taken to protect that child. We know that in too many cases where children have died or suffered serious harm, signs of possible abuse were not properly shared or acted on."
The study, which was conducted by Cardiff's Violence and Society Research Group, started in 2001 and highlights an overall decline in the number of violence related hospital admissions, including the number of children who became victims of violent attacks in the next age bracket — 11- to 17-year-olds — which fell by 6 per cent.
Violence and Society Research Group director Professor Jonathan Shepherd said: "We should remember that the overall trend remains downwards. Our study has shown a fall of just over 15 per cent since 2001. However, this year's figures and last year's show there is still some way to go in tackling serious violence in this country."
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Plymouth social worker struck off for lying about visits
http://www.cypnow.co.uk/bulletins/InCare/news/997176/?DCMP=EMC-InCare
By Neil Puffett
Children & Young People Now
15 April 2010
A social worker for Plymouth City Council has been removed from the social care register after falsely claiming she made visits to children when she had not.
In total, Charon Rae Salisbury was accused of not making frequent enough visits to eight children between October 2007 and March 2008.
Salisbury made entries on the council's recording system, Care First, listing the various dates she claimed to have visited the children
At a meeting of the General Social Care Council's (GSCC) conduct committee, which Salisbury did not attend, she was removed from the register after the committee found the allegations proved.
Mairead MacNeil, assistant director for children's social care at Plymouth Council, said: "This hearing result brings an end to a process that we began in April 2008, when the individual in question ceased to be a practising social worker for the council after swift, decisive action was taken and a referral made to the GSCC.
"The safety of children and young people in the city is of paramount importance to us and we have high expectations for the conduct of all our staff in children's social care.
"The vast majority of our staff meet and exceed those expectations, but where they do not, we have robust management systems in place to ensure we take the strongest possible action. Social workers carry out a very challenging and valuable job in our society, often under difficult circumstances, and the vast majority do so with great care and attention."
By Neil Puffett
Children & Young People Now
15 April 2010
A social worker for Plymouth City Council has been removed from the social care register after falsely claiming she made visits to children when she had not.
In total, Charon Rae Salisbury was accused of not making frequent enough visits to eight children between October 2007 and March 2008.
Salisbury made entries on the council's recording system, Care First, listing the various dates she claimed to have visited the children
At a meeting of the General Social Care Council's (GSCC) conduct committee, which Salisbury did not attend, she was removed from the register after the committee found the allegations proved.
Mairead MacNeil, assistant director for children's social care at Plymouth Council, said: "This hearing result brings an end to a process that we began in April 2008, when the individual in question ceased to be a practising social worker for the council after swift, decisive action was taken and a referral made to the GSCC.
"The safety of children and young people in the city is of paramount importance to us and we have high expectations for the conduct of all our staff in children's social care.
"The vast majority of our staff meet and exceed those expectations, but where they do not, we have robust management systems in place to ensure we take the strongest possible action. Social workers carry out a very challenging and valuable job in our society, often under difficult circumstances, and the vast majority do so with great care and attention."
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Update on the mother who fled to Southern Ireland for justice.
This poor mother is totally devastated and her daughter is so upset by the treatment she has been receiving at the hands of social services that she is prepared to put herself in jail rather than have her daughter persecuted any longer. She has asked me to tell all of you she thinks this is her end I have agreed because in the ten years of dealing with grandparents/grandchildren contact issues I have found social services to be a well publicised utter failure for the best interests of children. A Frenchman once said “What is wrong with you British people that you let your governments treat you like this”
Jimmy Deuchars
Grandparents Apart UK
22 Alness crescent
Glasgow G52 1PJ
0141 882 5658
http://www.grandparentsapart.co.uk
18th April 2010
Her story.
“There is no justice! when dealing with social services.
The Scottish social services have spent a fortune pursuing myself and my daughter who have never been separated by any court in Scotland or in nor have we been in any danger apart from being hounding by social workers who are enjoying flying back and forwards from Scotland to Ireland spending huge sums of Scottish tax payers money just to have me brought back to Scotland in order to preserve their god like image of never being beaten.
I have cooperated fully with the Irish social services and they had promised me help to find a house when i recovered from my two broken legs but now it seems that Scottish and Irish social services have joined together in order to destroy me and my daughter.
I am distraught because my daughter is suffering from being in care and having social workers filling her mind with all sorts of emotional rubbish just to wear her down. They are succeeding, the poor we soul is so upset and her emotions and behaviour have become disturbed.
When I return to court my solicitor has told me I will need to apologise to a judge for taking my daughter to Ireland or I will go to jail for kidnapping. The Hague Convention I am told is forcing our return to Scotland where I will also land in jail for kidnapping. She is my daughter and I have still PRRS we have been a victim of a cover up by Scottish social services who are afraid of an investigation which will prove they are wrong in accusing me of being a bad mother. I have a huge dossier of evidence to prove my case but they will not allow it.
All of you people who are suffering under or have suffered and lost under social services are also guilty of this farce. You know the failings of social services, it has been well broadcast by the media and groups of grandparents, fathers, mothers, etc. of how they work in telling lies, false information, snatching children from families, forcing adoption without permission, ignoring grandparents that can help children, yet you will not speak up about it. I do not deserve this persecution, did you?”
Ends.
Jimmy Deuchars
Grandparents Apart UK
22 Alness crescent
Glasgow G52 1PJ
0141 882 5658
http://www.grandparentsapart.co.uk
18th April 2010
Her story.
“There is no justice! when dealing with social services.
The Scottish social services have spent a fortune pursuing myself and my daughter who have never been separated by any court in Scotland or in nor have we been in any danger apart from being hounding by social workers who are enjoying flying back and forwards from Scotland to Ireland spending huge sums of Scottish tax payers money just to have me brought back to Scotland in order to preserve their god like image of never being beaten.
I have cooperated fully with the Irish social services and they had promised me help to find a house when i recovered from my two broken legs but now it seems that Scottish and Irish social services have joined together in order to destroy me and my daughter.
I am distraught because my daughter is suffering from being in care and having social workers filling her mind with all sorts of emotional rubbish just to wear her down. They are succeeding, the poor we soul is so upset and her emotions and behaviour have become disturbed.
When I return to court my solicitor has told me I will need to apologise to a judge for taking my daughter to Ireland or I will go to jail for kidnapping. The Hague Convention I am told is forcing our return to Scotland where I will also land in jail for kidnapping. She is my daughter and I have still PRRS we have been a victim of a cover up by Scottish social services who are afraid of an investigation which will prove they are wrong in accusing me of being a bad mother. I have a huge dossier of evidence to prove my case but they will not allow it.
All of you people who are suffering under or have suffered and lost under social services are also guilty of this farce. You know the failings of social services, it has been well broadcast by the media and groups of grandparents, fathers, mothers, etc. of how they work in telling lies, false information, snatching children from families, forcing adoption without permission, ignoring grandparents that can help children, yet you will not speak up about it. I do not deserve this persecution, did you?”
Ends.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Information for Gloria Hunniford.
Dear XXX
I am looking for anonymous stories and experiences from grandparents for a new book being written by Gloria Hunniford.
Gloria’s book will be a personal account of what it is to be a grandmother. But while it will be filled with uplifting and happy stories and memories, Gloria’s book also has a serious side - acknowledging that for a modern-day grandparent, life isn’t always easy.
It will touch on many of the issues that grandparents face such as divorce and limited access to their grandchildren, feelings of being ‘taken for granted’ as a childminder and managing views on manners, discipline, food and other aspects of raising a child.
By drawing on the experiences of many other grandparents, Gloria will offer practical advice and guidance on these emotive subjects.
As part of the research for the book it would be great to hear your own personal experiences of grandparenting and your answers to the questions below.
NAME*:
PHONE NUMBER*:
(* These details are purely for follow up phone interviewing. All names and details will be changed to make sure the stories and experiences cannot be recognized.)
1. Did you find that your relationship with your child shifted when he/she became a parent themselves. If so, in what way? How did this make you feel?
2. Sometimes your relationship with your child’s new partner can create difficulties. Has this happened to you? Any examples of stories and how did you manage the highs and lows? Vice versa - is your child the one being difficult while their partner acts as peace-maker?
3. What issues and difficulties have been raised in managing your views on childrearing, manners, discipline, bedtime, TV, routines and food?
4. Have you ever felt dumped on by your children or their partners. Did it feel like you were expected to drop everything to look after the kids?
5. Would you like more access to your grandchildren than you’re getting? Have you brought this up? What reception did you get? Did you get more access? Have such issues gone as far as court?
6. Any good ideas for keeping the kids occupied? Any games or special days out you can recommend? How do you keep up with their changing interests. Have you embraced modern technology?
7. Have you ever experienced rivalry with your grandchild’s other grandparents? Or do you have touching stories of bonding over your grandchildren?
8. Any stories about how divorce or death have affected your role as a grandparent. Did you feel a little forgotten at this time? How did you cope yourself?
9. What are the golden rules of being a good grandparent?
10. Can you give examples of the sheer joy of being a grandparent? What are you fondest memories? Any priceless moments that you will cherish forever or that made you laugh.
11. Do you have a favourite grandchild or is it important to you to deal equally with all grandchildren. Do you plan to leave money/inheritance/trust funds to them all? Have you addressed that with them or their parents?
12. Any other stories whether tricky or touching which you believe are important for other grandparents to read about?
Many thanks,
Charlotte Ward
charlottefreelance@googlemail.com
I am looking for anonymous stories and experiences from grandparents for a new book being written by Gloria Hunniford.
Gloria’s book will be a personal account of what it is to be a grandmother. But while it will be filled with uplifting and happy stories and memories, Gloria’s book also has a serious side - acknowledging that for a modern-day grandparent, life isn’t always easy.
It will touch on many of the issues that grandparents face such as divorce and limited access to their grandchildren, feelings of being ‘taken for granted’ as a childminder and managing views on manners, discipline, food and other aspects of raising a child.
By drawing on the experiences of many other grandparents, Gloria will offer practical advice and guidance on these emotive subjects.
As part of the research for the book it would be great to hear your own personal experiences of grandparenting and your answers to the questions below.
NAME*:
PHONE NUMBER*:
(* These details are purely for follow up phone interviewing. All names and details will be changed to make sure the stories and experiences cannot be recognized.)
1. Did you find that your relationship with your child shifted when he/she became a parent themselves. If so, in what way? How did this make you feel?
2. Sometimes your relationship with your child’s new partner can create difficulties. Has this happened to you? Any examples of stories and how did you manage the highs and lows? Vice versa - is your child the one being difficult while their partner acts as peace-maker?
3. What issues and difficulties have been raised in managing your views on childrearing, manners, discipline, bedtime, TV, routines and food?
4. Have you ever felt dumped on by your children or their partners. Did it feel like you were expected to drop everything to look after the kids?
5. Would you like more access to your grandchildren than you’re getting? Have you brought this up? What reception did you get? Did you get more access? Have such issues gone as far as court?
6. Any good ideas for keeping the kids occupied? Any games or special days out you can recommend? How do you keep up with their changing interests. Have you embraced modern technology?
7. Have you ever experienced rivalry with your grandchild’s other grandparents? Or do you have touching stories of bonding over your grandchildren?
8. Any stories about how divorce or death have affected your role as a grandparent. Did you feel a little forgotten at this time? How did you cope yourself?
9. What are the golden rules of being a good grandparent?
10. Can you give examples of the sheer joy of being a grandparent? What are you fondest memories? Any priceless moments that you will cherish forever or that made you laugh.
11. Do you have a favourite grandchild or is it important to you to deal equally with all grandchildren. Do you plan to leave money/inheritance/trust funds to them all? Have you addressed that with them or their parents?
12. Any other stories whether tricky or touching which you believe are important for other grandparents to read about?
Many thanks,
Charlotte Ward
charlottefreelance@googlemail.com
Monday, April 12, 2010
Have your say!
Dear
Thank you for your interest in participating in my short study.
I am a 4th Year social work student from Strathclyde University currently undertaking research for my honours dissertation. I am currently an employee of Who Cares ? Scotland, however this research is being carried out on an independent basis. I would like to invite you to be part of my study looking into the experiences of people providing Kinship care.
I am asking you to take part
• To explore your experiences of providing care
• To discuss what support you have been offered
• To find out what you have found helpful/ unhelpful
• To find out how YOU think support for Kinship carers can be improved
What will happen - If you agree to take part you will be contacted to arrange a suitable time, at your convenience, for a one to one interview lasting a maximum of 1 hour. I will ask you some questions relating to your experience of being a Kinship Carer, focusing on the support that you have received. You will also have to opportunity to provide any information relating to Kinship care that you feel is important but has not been covered within the interview. You can choose not to answer any question and the interview will be stopped at any point on your request without explanation required. This will not affect any further involvement from services currently being received. Notes will be taking during the interview but no information that could possibly identify you will be used in the final study.
You may choose to withdraw from the study at any time and any data given will not be used to produce the final report.
All Information given in the interview is confidential unless it relates to a young person being at risk of harm. In this instance the information may be passed on to the appropriate service, and I will inform you should this arise.
With your permission, you may be contacted again after the interview to ensure that your views have been understood and are being conveyed accurately.
Benefits - You will be able to share your views and experiences.
This study is in no way connected to any local authority and is an independent research study for the purposes of completing my honours dissertation.
If you are interested in taking part, are aged over 18, are currently providing Kinship care and have been for a minimum of 6 months please complete the attached consent form and contact myself on 07454 477 318.
If you require any further information please feel free to contact me on 07545 477 318 or alternatively you can email at Karen.mackle@strath.ac.uk
If you have concerns and wish to contact someone not involved in this study you can email Andrew Kendrick at: Glasgow School Of Social Work, University of Strathclyde, 76 Southbrae Drive, Glasgow, G13 1PP or alternate contact details are:
Email on : Andrew.Kendrick@strath.ac.uk Telephone: 0141 950 3037.
Thank you for taking the time to read this information.
Dear
Thank you for your interest in participating in my short study.
I am a 4th Year social work student from Strathclyde University currently undertaking research for my honours dissertation. I am currently an employee of Who Cares ? Scotland, however this research is being carried out on an independent basis. I would like to invite you to be part of my study looking into the experiences of people providing Kinship care.
I am asking you to take part
• To explore your experiences of providing care
• To discuss what support you have been offered
• To find out what you have found helpful/ unhelpful
• To find out how YOU think support for Kinship carers can be improved
What will happen - If you agree to take part you will be contacted to arrange a suitable time, at your convenience, for a one to one interview lasting a maximum of 1 hour. I will ask you some questions relating to your experience of being a Kinship Carer, focusing on the support that you have received. You will also have to opportunity to provide any information relating to Kinship care that you feel is important but has not been covered within the interview. You can choose not to answer any question and the interview will be stopped at any point on your request without explanation required. This will not affect any further involvement from services currently being received. Notes will be taking during the interview but no information that could possibly identify you will be used in the final study.
You may choose to withdraw from the study at any time and any data given will not be used to produce the final report.
All Information given in the interview is confidential unless it relates to a young person being at risk of harm. In this instance the information may be passed on to the appropriate service, and I will inform you should this arise.
With your permission, you may be contacted again after the interview to ensure that your views have been understood and are being conveyed accurately.
Benefits - You will be able to share your views and experiences.
This study is in no way connected to any local authority and is an independent research study for the purposes of completing my honours dissertation.
If you are interested in taking part, are aged over 18, are currently providing Kinship care and have been for a minimum of 6 months please complete the attached consent form and contact myself on 07454 477 318.
If you require any further information please feel free to contact me on 07545 477 318 or alternatively you can email at Karen.mackle@strath.ac.uk
If you have concerns and wish to contact someone not involved in this study you can email Andrew Kendrick at: Glasgow School Of Social Work, University of Strathclyde, 76 Southbrae Drive, Glasgow, G13 1PP or alternate contact details are:
Email on : Andrew.Kendrick@strath.ac.uk Telephone: 0141 950 3037.
Thank you for taking the time to read this information.
Grandparents disappointment with authorities lack of welfare for children.
No Scottish political party except the pensioners party (SSCUP) has shown much enthusiasm for helping our grandchildren benefit from the role grandparents can play in their lives. Grandparents are excluded by law and a multitude of case histories and petitions motivated the then Scottish Executive to produce the ‘Charter for Grandchildren’ as It was created as advisory, with no bite. The Charter has been completely ignored almost defiantly by the professionals working in the welfare of children as there is an increase of complaints. Every day we hear of grandchildren still being cut of from their grandparents love and protection. The governments past and present have failed miserably We can only come to the conclusion that The ‘Charter for Grandchildren’ was just expensively created without any real attempt to improve the lives of our grandchildren.
The present SNP Government had a couple of MSPs from our area in Glasgow and Kilmarnock and Aberdeen show some interest but they soon faded away when they were asked to do something positive. In fact the SNP not only has shown little time for the ‘Charter for Grandchildren’ but deliberately got shot of it by passing the buck for its administration down to the local authorities.
Glasgow City Chambers is the same political party that created the ‘Charter for Grandchildren’ they very quickly voted to accept the ‘Charter for Grandchild’ then passed it to the DPC committee which is I am informed is another way of shelving the problem as they will need too analyse the Charter to see what can be used. It was the same government who created the Charter with their own lawyers in a stakeholders group in the best interests of the children. So what is there to analyse?
We have asked all the questions at a meeting about when it will be settled. No Tory councillors came only one councillor turned from Labour and gave us a short lecture on how it will take years and the need for the government to be involved. Talk about going round in circles. One SNP Councillor Iris Gibson came and was most helpful and concerned about children’s welfare.
It is criminal and a disgrace that children are still do not have the protection and care their grandparents can give them. The governments recognise the benefits or they would not have created the Charter but are not concerned enough to make it work.
Jimmy Deuchars
Grandparents Apart UK
22 Alness crescent
Glasgow G52 1PJ
0141 882 5658
http://www.grandparentsapart.co.uk
The present SNP Government had a couple of MSPs from our area in Glasgow and Kilmarnock and Aberdeen show some interest but they soon faded away when they were asked to do something positive. In fact the SNP not only has shown little time for the ‘Charter for Grandchildren’ but deliberately got shot of it by passing the buck for its administration down to the local authorities.
Glasgow City Chambers is the same political party that created the ‘Charter for Grandchildren’ they very quickly voted to accept the ‘Charter for Grandchild’ then passed it to the DPC committee which is I am informed is another way of shelving the problem as they will need too analyse the Charter to see what can be used. It was the same government who created the Charter with their own lawyers in a stakeholders group in the best interests of the children. So what is there to analyse?
We have asked all the questions at a meeting about when it will be settled. No Tory councillors came only one councillor turned from Labour and gave us a short lecture on how it will take years and the need for the government to be involved. Talk about going round in circles. One SNP Councillor Iris Gibson came and was most helpful and concerned about children’s welfare.
It is criminal and a disgrace that children are still do not have the protection and care their grandparents can give them. The governments recognise the benefits or they would not have created the Charter but are not concerned enough to make it work.
Jimmy Deuchars
Grandparents Apart UK
22 Alness crescent
Glasgow G52 1PJ
0141 882 5658
http://www.grandparentsapart.co.uk
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
New survey finds grandparents play key role in lives of children with autism
New survey finds grandparents play key role in lives of children with autism
(Baltimore, MD) -- Today, the Interactive Autism Network (IAN), www.ianproject.org, the nation's largest online autism research project, announces results of the Grandparents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders Survey, finding that nearly one-third of grandparents who participated were the first to raise concerns about their grandchild's development. Since its launch in 2007, the IAN Project has helped to accelerate the pace of autism research by gathering valuable information online from individuals on the autism spectrum and their parents. The launch of the October 2009 survey was the first time that the IAN Project has collected information from grandparents. The IAN Research Report: Grandparents of Children with ASD -- Part 1, and the subsequent report that will be released later in the month, demonstrate the substantial impact having a grandchild on the spectrum has on grandparents' lives, as well as the contributions they make through early detection - which is crucial to early diagnosis and intervention - child care, and financial support.
"It became clear that grandparents -- a population largely overlooked by policymakers and researchers ? had valuable insights to share when they came to us asking how they could participate in the IAN Project," said Dr. Paul Law, Director of the IAN Project at the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, Maryland. "These survey results show that experiences are remarkably diverse, but one thing is clear: grandparents often play a major part in their grandchild's life and experience their own stresses and triumphs in these families."
In just eight weeks, more than 2,600 grandparents completed the survey. The findings highlighted below summarize the compelling results from the Research Report released today as well as Part 2 of the report, which will be released in mid-April:
Grandparents and their families
Grandparents represented a wide age range, although most were between the ages of 55 and 74.
• Family relationships: Nearly 90% felt that the experience of facing their grandchild's situation together had brought them and their adult child -- the grandchild's parent ? closer, although many worried for their adult child raising a child on the autism spectrum.
• Support and coping: Of those who were married or in a committed relationship, 92% said they felt their spouse or partner supported them "always" or "most of the time." The majority of grandparents reported that they had adjusted to their grandchild's diagnosis and were doing "very" or "fairly" well.
• Genetics in autism: Approximately 15% of grandparents had two or more grandchildren on the spectrum. Of those with more than one grandchild with ASD, two-thirds reported that their grandchildren were siblings, while the other third reported their grandchildren with ASD were cousins.
Grandparents as caregivers
Many grandparents played a major role in raising concerns about their grandchild's development.
• Fully 30% said they were the first to raise concerns about their grandchild, while another 49% said they had supported others who began to raise concerns.
• Grandparents often play a major role in helping care for a grandchild with ASD: Nearly 11% reported living in the same household as their grandchild, with another 46% living within 24 miles.
In addition, of those who were traditional grandparents (not their grandchild's custodial parent) 14% said they and their grandchild's family had moved closer to each other so they could help the grandchild's family "manage all that is involved with his or her ASD," while 7% said they had actually combined households for the same reason.
• 71% said they played some role in treatment decisions for their grandchild.
• More than 15% were providing transportation for their affected grandchild to or from appointments or school at least once per week.
• More than 31% said they provided some direct child care at least once per week. Proactive grandparents
• Participating grandparents kept themselves very well informed about ASDs; 99% said they "read or do research to better understand Autism Spectrum Disorders" because of their grandchild's diagnosis.
• Grandparents were very active in advocating for their grandchildren on the autism spectrum, with nearly 50% taking part in autism walks or fundraisers, 33% involved in political advocacy, and 31% attending conferences or workshops on autism.
Financial impact
A significant majority of grandparents reported contributing to their grandchild's general or special financial needs.
• More than 22% reported going without something they had hoped for in order to provide for their grandchild's financial needs. In fact, 18% had become primary babysitter so their adult child could work, 11% had raided retirement funds, and 8% had borrowed money.
• Nearly 60% had made sacrifices not provided in response choices, such as working more hours or taking on a second job, providing respite care, or leaving funds in a special needs trust.
• About 25% of grandparents reported spending up to $99 per month to meet their grandchild's autism-related needs, while 30% paid even higher amounts. There were some grandparents spending more than $500 per month.
"It is hoped that the results of this survey will help researchers, policymakers and advocates learn about the experiences and opinions of grandparents of children with an ASD, and advance efforts to advocate for improved services and resources," said Dr. Law.
Read more about the survey results at http://www.iancommunity.org/cs/ian_research_reports/ian_research_report_apr_2010.
The IAN Project is supported by Autism Speaks and the Simons Foundation.
About the Kennedy Krieger Institute
Internationally recognized for improving the lives of children and adolescents with disorders and injuries of the brain and spinal cord, the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, MD serves more than 13,000 individuals each year through inpatient and outpatient clinics, home and community services and school-based programs. Kennedy Krieger provides a wide range of services for children with developmental concerns mild to severe, and is home to a team of investigators who are contributing to the understanding of how disorders develop while pioneering new interventions and earlier diagnosis. For more information on Kennedy Krieger Institute, visit
(Baltimore, MD) -- Today, the Interactive Autism Network (IAN), www.ianproject.org, the nation's largest online autism research project, announces results of the Grandparents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders Survey, finding that nearly one-third of grandparents who participated were the first to raise concerns about their grandchild's development. Since its launch in 2007, the IAN Project has helped to accelerate the pace of autism research by gathering valuable information online from individuals on the autism spectrum and their parents. The launch of the October 2009 survey was the first time that the IAN Project has collected information from grandparents. The IAN Research Report: Grandparents of Children with ASD -- Part 1, and the subsequent report that will be released later in the month, demonstrate the substantial impact having a grandchild on the spectrum has on grandparents' lives, as well as the contributions they make through early detection - which is crucial to early diagnosis and intervention - child care, and financial support.
"It became clear that grandparents -- a population largely overlooked by policymakers and researchers ? had valuable insights to share when they came to us asking how they could participate in the IAN Project," said Dr. Paul Law, Director of the IAN Project at the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, Maryland. "These survey results show that experiences are remarkably diverse, but one thing is clear: grandparents often play a major part in their grandchild's life and experience their own stresses and triumphs in these families."
In just eight weeks, more than 2,600 grandparents completed the survey. The findings highlighted below summarize the compelling results from the Research Report released today as well as Part 2 of the report, which will be released in mid-April:
Grandparents and their families
Grandparents represented a wide age range, although most were between the ages of 55 and 74.
• Family relationships: Nearly 90% felt that the experience of facing their grandchild's situation together had brought them and their adult child -- the grandchild's parent ? closer, although many worried for their adult child raising a child on the autism spectrum.
• Support and coping: Of those who were married or in a committed relationship, 92% said they felt their spouse or partner supported them "always" or "most of the time." The majority of grandparents reported that they had adjusted to their grandchild's diagnosis and were doing "very" or "fairly" well.
• Genetics in autism: Approximately 15% of grandparents had two or more grandchildren on the spectrum. Of those with more than one grandchild with ASD, two-thirds reported that their grandchildren were siblings, while the other third reported their grandchildren with ASD were cousins.
Grandparents as caregivers
Many grandparents played a major role in raising concerns about their grandchild's development.
• Fully 30% said they were the first to raise concerns about their grandchild, while another 49% said they had supported others who began to raise concerns.
• Grandparents often play a major role in helping care for a grandchild with ASD: Nearly 11% reported living in the same household as their grandchild, with another 46% living within 24 miles.
In addition, of those who were traditional grandparents (not their grandchild's custodial parent) 14% said they and their grandchild's family had moved closer to each other so they could help the grandchild's family "manage all that is involved with his or her ASD," while 7% said they had actually combined households for the same reason.
• 71% said they played some role in treatment decisions for their grandchild.
• More than 15% were providing transportation for their affected grandchild to or from appointments or school at least once per week.
• More than 31% said they provided some direct child care at least once per week. Proactive grandparents
• Participating grandparents kept themselves very well informed about ASDs; 99% said they "read or do research to better understand Autism Spectrum Disorders" because of their grandchild's diagnosis.
• Grandparents were very active in advocating for their grandchildren on the autism spectrum, with nearly 50% taking part in autism walks or fundraisers, 33% involved in political advocacy, and 31% attending conferences or workshops on autism.
Financial impact
A significant majority of grandparents reported contributing to their grandchild's general or special financial needs.
• More than 22% reported going without something they had hoped for in order to provide for their grandchild's financial needs. In fact, 18% had become primary babysitter so their adult child could work, 11% had raided retirement funds, and 8% had borrowed money.
• Nearly 60% had made sacrifices not provided in response choices, such as working more hours or taking on a second job, providing respite care, or leaving funds in a special needs trust.
• About 25% of grandparents reported spending up to $99 per month to meet their grandchild's autism-related needs, while 30% paid even higher amounts. There were some grandparents spending more than $500 per month.
"It is hoped that the results of this survey will help researchers, policymakers and advocates learn about the experiences and opinions of grandparents of children with an ASD, and advance efforts to advocate for improved services and resources," said Dr. Law.
Read more about the survey results at http://www.iancommunity.org/cs/ian_research_reports/ian_research_report_apr_2010.
The IAN Project is supported by Autism Speaks and the Simons Foundation.
About the Kennedy Krieger Institute
Internationally recognized for improving the lives of children and adolescents with disorders and injuries of the brain and spinal cord, the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, MD serves more than 13,000 individuals each year through inpatient and outpatient clinics, home and community services and school-based programs. Kennedy Krieger provides a wide range of services for children with developmental concerns mild to severe, and is home to a team of investigators who are contributing to the understanding of how disorders develop while pioneering new interventions and earlier diagnosis. For more information on Kennedy Krieger Institute, visit
Thursday, April 1, 2010
The true story of little Emma
The 4 year nightmare of abuse for little Emma.
The 4 year nightmare of abuse endured by a little girl called Emma is now over. Four years of hell because social services would not listen to her grandparents. Now the stepfather has been charged with abuse and the mother with neglect. At last putting an end to 4 years of horror the social services said was not happening. Emma has been disturbed by her experience and will need specialist help.
The story.
A couple split up in 2005 when Emma was 20 months. The mother did not want Emma unless the father stayed too. The grandparents took Emma in and cared for her for 9 days before the police came and said she had to be returned to the mother even although the social services had been told continually about the abuse which had been reported to them by the grandparents but they ignored them and did nothing.
During this time the grandparents had access and kept reporting to the father that Emma had bruises and once they had to take her to the local A&E for blood droplets coming out of her ear where she had been slapped hard. While they were there they were told there was signs of an old injury to her other ear that had never been attended to and still the social services did nothing saying it was because Emma didn’t speak clearly and that it was difficulty to determine just how she came to get these bruises.
The mother always maintained that she got them whilst playing with her siblings.
Even with the hospital contacting the Child Protection Units of the police and Social Services and the subsequent videoed interview of Emma the social services still refused to accept these injuries were due to Emma being physically abused at her home.
This family has been the subject of social service scrutiny since 2002 and even although Emma was placed in the fathers care four times in one year and is now the subject of Child Protection Conferences the social services have never once acknowledged the possibility that the mother or stepfather could have inflicted these injuries.
Emma attended the school with a large bruise on her forehead and informed her teacher found out she had been hit by her step father. The Child Protection agencies were informed by the school and two days later Emma was placed again into the care of her father. Emma’s brother was also assaulted so hard by the stepfather he was placed in the care.
The couple have problems which are critical and in need of attention they cannot control their tempers and have been advised to attend anger management sessions. Both have dependency on alcohol. The social services knew of the domestic violence in this house but yet refused to acknowledge it.
There is a lot more to this story but it is cloaked under the veil of confidentiality. The question needs answering why when the Social Services knew of the physical and emotional abuse these children were suffering did they not take action sooner to protect them.
Social Services failed to believe the father was the birth father preferring to believe the step father who said he had a DNA test which proved he was Emma’s birth father, they did not engage with the real father until late 2007 The Social Services preferred to believe the step father who had changed Emma’s name claiming he was the father
This case is well documented by the amount of correspondence written to the Social Services workers and their superiors highlighting the concerns of the father and grandparents regarding the child but these were mostly ignored.
Emma was hit by the step father. The grandparents are not being told the full story as they are still being cast aside. The Social Services are not saying anything, but the story we are getting from Emma was she was in her bed in the middle of the night and the step father hit her without reason.
The next morning emma told the school teacher of the assault, as she has been told to and the Social Services were then involved, however they did not contact the family and us until today and that was after interviewing Emma by video and subjecting her to another medical which they complained to us was stressing to Emma when we complained about her abuse six months ago.
The Social Services never listened to the child or the grandparents and suggested she only made the stories up. We are extremly lucky that she has only a bruised face and nothing more serious but the abuse she has suffered is beyond believe.
The step father has been interviewed by the police but we have no news on that. Thank god Emma is safe now and doing remarkably better at school.
Jimmy Deuchars
Grandparents Apart UK
22 Alness crescent
Glasgow G52 1PJ
0141 882 5658
http://www.grandparentsapart.co.uk
The 4 year nightmare of abuse endured by a little girl called Emma is now over. Four years of hell because social services would not listen to her grandparents. Now the stepfather has been charged with abuse and the mother with neglect. At last putting an end to 4 years of horror the social services said was not happening. Emma has been disturbed by her experience and will need specialist help.
The story.
A couple split up in 2005 when Emma was 20 months. The mother did not want Emma unless the father stayed too. The grandparents took Emma in and cared for her for 9 days before the police came and said she had to be returned to the mother even although the social services had been told continually about the abuse which had been reported to them by the grandparents but they ignored them and did nothing.
During this time the grandparents had access and kept reporting to the father that Emma had bruises and once they had to take her to the local A&E for blood droplets coming out of her ear where she had been slapped hard. While they were there they were told there was signs of an old injury to her other ear that had never been attended to and still the social services did nothing saying it was because Emma didn’t speak clearly and that it was difficulty to determine just how she came to get these bruises.
The mother always maintained that she got them whilst playing with her siblings.
Even with the hospital contacting the Child Protection Units of the police and Social Services and the subsequent videoed interview of Emma the social services still refused to accept these injuries were due to Emma being physically abused at her home.
This family has been the subject of social service scrutiny since 2002 and even although Emma was placed in the fathers care four times in one year and is now the subject of Child Protection Conferences the social services have never once acknowledged the possibility that the mother or stepfather could have inflicted these injuries.
Emma attended the school with a large bruise on her forehead and informed her teacher found out she had been hit by her step father. The Child Protection agencies were informed by the school and two days later Emma was placed again into the care of her father. Emma’s brother was also assaulted so hard by the stepfather he was placed in the care.
The couple have problems which are critical and in need of attention they cannot control their tempers and have been advised to attend anger management sessions. Both have dependency on alcohol. The social services knew of the domestic violence in this house but yet refused to acknowledge it.
There is a lot more to this story but it is cloaked under the veil of confidentiality. The question needs answering why when the Social Services knew of the physical and emotional abuse these children were suffering did they not take action sooner to protect them.
Social Services failed to believe the father was the birth father preferring to believe the step father who said he had a DNA test which proved he was Emma’s birth father, they did not engage with the real father until late 2007 The Social Services preferred to believe the step father who had changed Emma’s name claiming he was the father
This case is well documented by the amount of correspondence written to the Social Services workers and their superiors highlighting the concerns of the father and grandparents regarding the child but these were mostly ignored.
Emma was hit by the step father. The grandparents are not being told the full story as they are still being cast aside. The Social Services are not saying anything, but the story we are getting from Emma was she was in her bed in the middle of the night and the step father hit her without reason.
The next morning emma told the school teacher of the assault, as she has been told to and the Social Services were then involved, however they did not contact the family and us until today and that was after interviewing Emma by video and subjecting her to another medical which they complained to us was stressing to Emma when we complained about her abuse six months ago.
The Social Services never listened to the child or the grandparents and suggested she only made the stories up. We are extremly lucky that she has only a bruised face and nothing more serious but the abuse she has suffered is beyond believe.
The step father has been interviewed by the police but we have no news on that. Thank god Emma is safe now and doing remarkably better at school.
Jimmy Deuchars
Grandparents Apart UK
22 Alness crescent
Glasgow G52 1PJ
0141 882 5658
http://www.grandparentsapart.co.uk
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)