I have called a parliamentary debate on grandchildren's access rights to their grandparents. The debate is due to will take place on Wednesday 2nd May at 4:30pm.
The issue of grandchildren’s access to their grandparents was first brought to my attention by Dame Esther Rantzen, who is patron of the Bristol Grandparents Support Group. She shared with me heart-breaking stories from scores of families who have suffered breakdown in some form and which has led to the grandparents and grandchildren being denied the opportunity to have a relationship with each other.
The relationship between grandparents and grandchildren is often overlooked when considering the emotional toll of divorce or family breakdown but some grandparents who have been prevented from accessing their grandchildren call it a form of living bereavement. After I raised the issue during Prime Minister’s Questions in November 2017, I received correspondence from families all over the country, including in my own constituency, sharing their experiences.
Having the ability to foster a relationship with grandparents and other extended family members should be a child’s right, so I have called this debate to urge the Government to enshrine this in law. Specifically, I am calling for an amendment to the Children’s Act to include extended family and grandparents in the existing provisions for child welfare. This is an ask of mine that the Government is already familiar with, as Dame Esther and I, together with Jane and Marc Jackson from the Bristol Grandparents Support Group, called for it in a meeting with then Justice Minister Dominic Raab in November 2017. It is also an ask which has precedent, as in France children have a right to contact with their grandparents.
I am looking forward to raising more awareness of this issue through the debate next week and would urge any constituents with experience of this issue who have not contacted me already to write to [email protected] and share their story with me.