General Chat

Hi All, just had a very sad e/mail from my friend, she and her husband have been denied access to their Grandson ( mother lives with boyfriend, not boys father ) they love their Grandson very much and this has devestated them, so i was wondering if any one knows of any good web sites that deal with this kind of problem as they are at their wits end to know what to do next Tina

there was a lady on here not very long ago, infact within last week. She was in the same position being denied access. Lots of people offered advice, p'haps she''l see this trhead and be able to help Shelli

Christine have mailed the lady concerend about your messaage hopefully she'll be in touch Shelli

Hi Shelli, thanks for contacting that lady for me , my poor friend ia in pieces at the moment, their Grandson has made allegations of physical abuse about the boyfriend befor and the last time the police became involved but social services are not taking it seriously and my friend is so scared that now she cant protect him. Tina

Grandparents have a legal right of access to their grandchildren. Perhaps the best plan would be to check out the position with Citizens Advice Bureau who, if necessary, could put them in touch with a suitable solicitor. (Solicitors tend to specialise so one who deals with domestic affairs is preferable to one who mainly deals with company law or the road traffic acts). By all means check out the web. A good site for finding out about legislation is H.M.S.O. Len

There's an article about grandparents in this weeks Woman magazine. Evidently 25 September is Grandp[aretns Day! A few contact given - The Grandparents' Association - www.grandparents-association.org.uk Grandparents Plus. Only a phone number - 020 8445 8466 Grandparents Action group - can give advice on getting access to children - 01952 582621 Hope they help. Jane

I know two families who have maintained access with grandchildren, in spite of great bitterness between the kids' parents. The grandparents have established a routine where the grandkids visit regularly and it seems to work for both sides, to rob children of grandparents is so sad - they have so much love to give - and time! No, not one yet....Dilys

Hallo Everyone, I am the person in question who has been bombaring this site with messages about my grandson Oliver. The only advice I can give is if you have an address,which I don't now have,then 1)keep sending postcards at a regular interval. These will eventually get through,she can't intercept the post forever.2) Buy a large hardback book in which you can record your feelings. Tell him/her how you love them each day and how you are wondering about them. Do not record judgmental messages about their mother who is refusing you access. 3)Get a copy of the Childrens Act and read it. Remember that any good solicitor has a twenty min. Free session available for each client. Or go through CAB 4) WRITE TO YOUR MP. tHE MORE OF US WHO DO THIS AND KEEP DOING THIS THE MORE PRESSURE WE ARE PUTTING ON THE gOVT. TO CHANGE THE LAW IN FAVOUR OF ACCESS FOR GRANDPARENTS. yOU HAVE TO BE PREPARED TO FIGHT EVERY DAY IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER. tHIS CAN BE THROUGH PHONE CALLS OR WEB RESEARCH OR BY READING. 5) jOIN A HIGH PROFILE GROUP. I have joined the grandparents Federation and Father's 4 Justice Purple Branch. And what I say to everyone is One Day These Children are Going To Ask questions. Kepp the evidence for when they are old enough to understand about human nature and behaviour Keep Fighting Best Wishes Rose

Hi All Thanks so much for your sugestions, i will pass them on to my friend right now. i do hope this can be resolved as i have Grandchildren of my own and i know how i would feel if it happened to me Tina

Christine i have e-mailed you personally - hope the info helps Love Tracy

Christine, Hi - My hubby and I have had reason to write 2 civilised, but firm letters to a particular Social Services. As they didn't seem to take the letters seriously, we threatened to report them to our M.P. and lo and behold, things started to happen. I hasten to add it wasn't as serious as the issue with your friends grandson, but it did the trick. Perhaps your friend could contact the S.S. involved and mention that if they don't do anything about the allegation (or words to that effect) they will contact their M.P. Keep a copy of everything. Just a thought. They have our best wishes. Glenys.

I believe that Fathers for Justice includes Grandfathers.

Correct me if I am wrong, but I thought it was the children who have a legal right of access to their grandparents, not the other way round. If it is deemed to be in the children`s best interest then access should be allowed but if there are reasons against contact then the children`s rights take precedence. I am not making a judgement about the case in question just pointing out what I believe (from personal experience) to be the legal view. If I am wrong, as my experience was several years ago, I apologise. Frances