Government ministers have announced this past week significant changes to the legal process in order to facilitate easier access for grandparents to their grandchildren. An estimated one million grandparents are currently thought to be missing out on contact with their grandchildren following a divorce or separation in the family and it’s something the Government is keen to address.

In the past, grandparents have had to navigate two hurdles prior to being allowed contact with their grandchildren: an initial application for leave to apply to the Court and, should this be granted, the application for contact itself. It is a time-consuming and often very costly process. Under the Government’s new proposals, these two steps will be merged into one and grandparents will no longer have to seek leave from the courts before applying for contact.

"Grandparents are often the unsung heroes when it comes to informal care arrangements for children and young people. They play an invaluable role for millions of families, helping to bring up children and also helping working families balance work and family life and stepping in when things go wrong.” the Children’s Secretary, Ed Balls, said this week.
 
As part of this new initiative, the Government has also launched a dedicated website, BeGrand www.begrand.net, which will provide advice and support to grandparents along with podcasts and video diaries.  

 The Government’s new proposals are a step in the right direction and recognise the vital role that grandparents often play in their grandchildren’s upbringing. Although grandparents will still need the approval of the court before contact can begin, the process has been simplified by removing the need for them to win leave first before making their application.