Hope for Excluded Grandparents

Cumbrian grandparents who are missing out on their grandchildren have a renewed force behind them as Burnetts Solicitors joins the Grandparents' Association.

Membership of the national association will help the Carlisle law firm keep updated with issues and campaigns affecting grandparents. Burnetts is the only solicitors' practice in North Cumbria, and one of only four in the county, to sign up to the Association's Lawyers' List

The Grandparents' Association estimates there are more than one million grandparents in the U.K. being denied contact with their grandchildren: Some are missing out because the ex-partner of their child won't allow access. Some grandparents have real concerns about how drug or alcohol use is putting their grandchild at risk. Meanwhile, one in every hundred children lives with a grandparent and there may be fears about what will happen when a parent returns.

Lynn Chesterman, Chief Executive, of The Grandparents' Association said, "The Grandparents' Association hears from over 750 grandparents a month who are either excluded from seeing their grandchildren or who are bringing their grandchildren up full
time. Too often we hear the problems that they face when they seek help from solicitors not experienced in working with extended families.  For this reason The Grandparents' Association established its Lawyers' List and we are delighted that Burnetts Solicitors support the charity and those grandparents in a difficult situation."   
 
Simon Mortimer, Partner, is a Resolution-accredited solicitor. He recognizes that grandparents can feel powerless.

He said, "When relationships break down, grandparents are often forgotten, despite the special contribution they make to children's lives. At Burnetts we have seen a steady increase over the last twelve months in grandparents seeking legal advice about their
grandchildren.  Commonly, issues like lack of contact have been worsened by concerns over substance abuse. Fortunately, we have been able to help many grandparents resume their relationship with their grandchildren. In some cases, we have secured residence orders for our clients to ensure their grandchildren can live safely with them."

Along with colleague Malvena Godridge, Simon also has a recognized specialism in childcare-related law as a member of the Law Society's Children's panel.

Grandparents seeking legal advice can contact Simon or Malvena on 01228 552222. For grandparents on low incomes, Legal Aid may be available to help with legal costs. Free fact sheets on issues affecting grandparents can be found here.

Further information about the Grandparents Association can be found at www.grandparents-association.org.uk, on the head office number 01279 428040 or through their national helpline on 0845 4349585. A free fact sheet, "Drug Abuse and the Care of Children" can be downloaded from the Association website.

Notes to Editor:

The aim of the Grandparents Association is to improve the lives of children by working with and for all grandparents.  It was launched in 1987 by a group of grandparents whose grandchildren had been put into care, adopted from care or were not allowed any contact with them.

Resolution (formerly the Solicitors' Family Law Association) is an organisation of 5,000 lawyers and family justice professionals who believe in a constructive, non confrontational approach to family law matters. For further information, visit www.resolution.org.uk.

28th March, 2006