Amend Children Act 1989 to presume grandchild-grandparent contact

Background

Based on sound UK evidence, we ask to amend the Children Act 1989 to presume (unless there are safeguarding factors) that involvement of a grandparent in a grandchild's life will further their welfare.

Additional details

We think this should apply to all grandchildren regardless of their age and family situations. A 2022 survey estimates a sixth of 0-16yo UK grandparents are prevented from seeing their grandchildren. We believe grandchildren then often experience a sudden and traumatic end to the relationship, leaving many grandchildren unable to see their safe grandparents long-term. We think there are seven typologies that reflect the various grandchild experiences. We believe that grandchildren's ongoing ambiguous grief following this living loss is an unidentified but significant component of the present children and young people's mental health crisis.

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