Can grandparents continue to see their grandchildren during the Covid 19 pandemic?

Whilst there is nothing preventing grandparents continuing to be involved in their grandchildren’s lives, care has to be taken in view of government guidance regarding the protection of vulnerable people, many of whom may be grandparents.  It may therefore be advisable for grandparents not to have direct contact with their grandchildren at the present time, especially if the grandparents fall within any of the specified categories of vulnerable people.

This means that grandparents should not assist with child care arrangements, especially if they fall within the vulnerable category, as they may be exposed to the virus particularly if parents are going back and forth to grandparents’ homes.

Some ideas to bridge the gap is to rely on technology such as video calls to ensure that some indirect contact can be maintained with the grandchildren. This would also ensure that the grandparents maintain contact with the family and grandchildren to prevent loneliness and the isolation that may be brought by the restrictions the virus has imposed on all of us.

What if the grandparents live in the same household as the children?

If it is absolutely impossible for the grandparents to social distance from the grandchildren, the whole household will need to remain in isolation in accordance with government guidelines.  Care should be taken to ensure that those who are vulnerable are not exposed to the virus in any way.

What if the grandparents are full-time carers?

If the grandparents are full-time carers, for instance by way of special guardianship order or kinship care and they are in the vulnerable group, they should ensure that they are isolated with the children in accordance with government guidelines. They would therefore remain reliant on others to provide food and other essentials services

Are there any other ways of protecting vulnerable grandparents?

It may be possible that the children are temporarily moved to another household provided they remain safe e.g. with another suitable family member, in protecting vulnerable grandparents, if complete isolation is not possible. This may also apply if the grandparents are unable to meet the needs of grandchildren on a full time basis in view of school closures.

How Slater and Gordon can assist?

Slater and Gordon can help grandparents navigate any concerns they may have on this matter in the unprecedented circumstances we find ourselves. For example, further action may be required if grandparents are prevented from seeing their grandchildren in breach of existing court orders, provided they remain protected from the virus especially if they remain vulnerable.

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