Grandparents Raising Grandchildren is a NSW support organisation for the many thousands of Grand-carers in Australia.

Becoming a ‘parent’ and primary carer the second time around – as a grandparent – is very different to being a first-time parent.

Research tells us that Grand-carers often face a major upheaval to their lives when faced with their new role.

They often suffer from isolation, financial and legal difficulties and can become incredibly drained of energy as their age combines with the intensity and duration of care required for their young charges.

Many times there is little preparation for the task at hand which can land on them with no warning and a host of unforseen problems they have inherited.

Their legal rights and responsibilities are at best confusing and at worst insurmountable and there is precious legal support to help them navigate the legal and government maze with which they are faced.

At the same time, grandparents talk of the love they feel for their grandchildren and the satisfaction that comes from being able to protect and nurture them.

They share stories of challenge and perseverance. They speak of the joy they feel in watching their grandchildren thrive and in the giving and receiving of love.

This new life can be daunting without good supports and clear information.

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren (GRG) is one state-wide organisation able to offer a lot of help, with clear, reliable information and a place to share.

GRG is an alliance of grandparents who have fulltime care and responsibility of their grandchildren and came about after seven years of research and collaboration with grandparent support groups and community service representatives.

Their informative website is at:

www.raisinggrandchildren.com.au

Children can come into the care of their grandparents in a number of ways, generally because of a breakdown in parental care or through a court order via child protection authorities.

Parents can suffer illness, marriage breakdown, drug or alcohol addiction, mental health issues, have a physical or intellectual disability impacting on their ability to care for their child, or may be financially unable to care for their child. They may have died in an accident. Perhaps their child has a disability and they are unable to cope with the extra demands of caring for their child. There may be a history of family violence.

Grandparents rarely receive any financial assistance for the initial resettlement when grandchildren first arrive. Police or child protection workers may bring them at the weekend or late at night, without basic clothing and personal items. Grandparents have to find the money for urgent requirements, for example, bedding, furniture, clothes, school equipment etc. Most believe they should be treated the same as foster carers who receive an initial establishment grant and regular payments for clothing and major or special expenditure.

Many grandparents say that their health is badly affected by the burden of raising their grandchildren without support and recognition. They must cope with their own stress and grief, at the same time helping their grandchildren through theirs.

They often do not have the time to properly grieve for their loss – of their child (the parent), of their freedom and plans (they may already be in retirement) and of their life as normal grandparents. They often have the constant worry about money – the cost of raising children faced by all families, as well as the additional costs of these children’s particular needs and the threat, and reality, of expensive legal action.

Whatever your financial situation, if you are grandparent carer, you may find you are entitled to some government assistance.  If you are really struggling you may find you need some crisis intervention as well.

You may be able to get support via:

Centrelink Ph: 136 150

NSW Department of Community Services Ph: 02 9716 2222

Family Assistance Office Ph: 13 6150

Health care and Medicare cards Ph: 13 2011

Child protection helpline: 13 2111

Welfare Rights Centre: 1800 226 028

The Salvation Army Ph: 13 7258

St Vincent de Paul Society Ph: 02 9560 8666

The Smith Family Ph: 02 9895 1233