Family and kinship carers

Grandparent carers

Becoming the carer for a grandchild can be a challenge – especially when it’s an unexpected development in your life. Sometimes grandparents haven’t been aware of the issues that have led to this situation. At first, they may experience feelings of shock, grief and even shame. If this describes how you are feeling, don’t worry: you’re not alone. Grandparents are the primary carers for grandchildren in thousands of families across Australia.

It might be a big lifestyle change but, over time, many grandparent carers come to enjoy the experience of raising a grandchild and take pride in providing a safe and caring home.

Support for grandparents

The Grandparent, Relative and Kinship Carer Alliance (GRaKCA) is an advocacy group run by The Council on the Ageing (COTA ) that can put you in touch with support services and with other grandparent carers.

Some grandparent carers need a lot of support from their caseworkers as they get used to looking after a child or young person again. Others are very confident in their role, and feel they need very little assistance. Some grandparents like to apply for guardianship.

If you are a grandparent carer, it’s important to discuss your needs and circumstances with your caseworker, especially when raising pre-teens and teenagers. Think about joining a local grandparent carer support group or attending a parenting course if you feel you want to build your confidence.