Recommendation #1
That Commonwealth and State Governments together recognise grandparents raising their grandchildren as a special group requiring assistance.
Recommendation #2
That Commonwealth and State Governments work together to ensure that grandparents raising grandchildren receive the same payments and support services as foster carers.
Recommendation #3
That Centrelink ensure grandparents obtain the benefits and assistance they are entitled to:
- Centrelink staff be fully trained in all aspects of benefits available to grandparents and their eligibility requirements.
- Centrelink produce and promote a booklet specifically for grandparents that includes information about Centrelink payments and other benefits, subsidies and services for which grandparents may be eligible.
Recommendation #4
That the criteria for disability allowances be reviewed and extended to cover emotional and psychological disability.
Recommendation #5
That a range of respite options be available to grandparents raising grandchildren, both expanding existing respite programs and funding new options through grandparent support groups and community service providers.
Recommendation #6
That community organisations such as Apex, Lions etc. be encouraged to assist grandparents and their grandchildren to participate in social and sporting activities.
Recommendation #7
That a community awareness campaign for grandparents raising grandchildren be developed and implemented, supported by reliable, accessible and consistent information about financial and legal issues and support services and available in a variety of formats – booklets, telephone information services, website, print media and community service announcements on radio and television.
Recommendation #8
That the status and rights of grandparents be recognised within Commonwealth Family Law and State legislation relating to the protection of children and young people, the Family Court, Children Courts and child protection authorities, particularly with regard to the grandparents' existing or potential role as the primary carer of their grandchildren.
Recommendation #9
That Commonwealth and State Governments ensure that independent complaints mechanisms or ombudsmen are available to oversee child protection authorities with the power to investigate complaints and that these are well publicised.
Recommendation #10
That Legal Aid be available to grandchildren and grandparents involved in Family Court matters:
- all children involved in the legal system have an independent advocate or children's legal representative paid for by Legal Aid
- the income and assets test for Legal Aid have the same eligibility criteria as the aged pension
Recommendation #11
That Legal Aid Officers and other legal practitioners be provided with accurate and comprehensible advice, including the legal rights of grandparents who have or are seeking custody of their grandchildren and the eligibility criteria for Legal Aid, to be made available to grandparents.
Recommendation #12
That the issues of repeated non-attendance at hearings by recipients of Legal Aid be addressed.
Recommendation #13
That the legal situation of grandchildren following the death of a custodial grandparent be clarified, including the extent to which the grandparent(s) may provide for their safety and security.
Recommendation #14
That procedures be set up to establish the eligibility for assistance of those grandparents who are raising their grandchildren with the informal agreement of the parents and / or the child protection authorities and without a formal court order.
Recommendation #15
That the grandchildren be eligible for Health Care Cards in their own right and have this card and a Medicare Card issued in their own name to be held by the carer.
Recommendation #16
That the grandchildren be eligible for State education subsidies and allowances in their own right and that grandparents be informed of those subsidies and allowances.
Recommendation #17
That parent education programs be developed to meet the specific needs of grandparents raising grandchildren.
Recommendation #18
That Commonwealth and State Governments and community service provider organisations develop coordinated early intervention and prevention programs for families at risk, to address children's well-being and safety within their family. These programs should be founded on evidence-based models and include adequate services for individual children and families, especially emotional and psychological services and therapies, and promotion of effective information sharing, collaboration and understanding between families, agencies and professionals.
Recommendation #19
That funding is made available in each State to assist grandparent support groups with resources, professional support, training of group leaders, running costs and State-wide coordination.
Recommendation #20
That Government sponsor further research into the long term effects of parental drug and alcohol use on children's health and development, including:
- the effects on children of being raised by their grandparents, and
- the effects on the health and well being of grandparents.
Recommendation #21
That, within the next two years, the Commonwealth Government sponsor a conference on issues relating to grandparents raising grandchildren.