On Monday 11th November, I met with the Minister of State in the Ministry of Justice, Dominic Raab MP to discuss the right of children to have contact with their extended family. I was joined by Dame Esther Rantzen and representatives from the Bristol Grandparents Support Group, of which she is a patron. Bristol Grandparents Support Group has been leading the campaign to enshrine in law a right for children to have access to their extended family by making an amendment to the Children’s Act.
Under the current legislation, grandparents can apply for leave of the Court to make an application for a child arrangement order if they are being denied access to their grandchildren. However, this is often time-consuming and financially burdensome and even in cases where grandparents have success, the court rulings cannot be enforced. The law also demands documentary evidence of a relationship with the grandchildren in question, which is not always feasible.
Having the ability to foster a relationship with grandparents and other extended family members should be a child’s right, and I was pleased to hear the Minister recognise that the principle of grandparents being part of a child’s life is a very important one. While there should certainly be safeguards in place, having a relationship with grandparents can enrich a child’s life.
Bristol Grandparents Support Group receive hundreds of letters each year both from grandparents who are being denied access to their grandchildren, and from children themselves asking for help so that they can visit their grandparents. I have also received correspondence from people sharing their heart-breaking experiences and I will continue working with Ministers across the Government to push for change and ensure that children are guaranteed their right to have a relationship with their extended family.