UK grandparents have no automatic right of contact with their grandchildren. They can lose contact with a grandchild if the parents split up or for other reasons. I run a support group for affected grandparents and would like there to be a parliamentary debate to find a better solution.
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One survey found that 1 in 7 grandparents are prevented from seeing their grandchildren. Although if mediation fails, a Child Arrangement Order can be sought, the adversarial court process can be expensive and traumatic to vulnerable grandparents. Many grandparents describe this lack of contact as a “living bereavement”. Attempts to change the law have so far failed. I think the current system neglects the rights of both grandparents and grandchildren. Grandparents have a huge amount to give, and their contribution to children's happiness and well-being requires recognition.