The study, I Wish I Could Just Be Grandma, reveals that 99 per cent of the 324 grandparents who took part are bringing up a disabled child full-time, 50 per cent have given up work or reduced their hours to take care of their grandchildren, and more than 60 per cent have a disability or chronic condition themselves.
One-third of grandparents said they wanted a break from caring and four out of five said they needed more financial help.
The report is by Family Fund, an independent grant-giving organisation that helps low-income families caring for a disabled child. Family Fund is calling on politicians and health service professionals to:
- Review the benefits and allowances that grandparents raising disabled grandchildren are entitled to
- Give greater recognition by social services of grandparents who are their disabled grandchildren's primary carers
- Recognise the particular needs of this group when planning local short breaks provision.
Family Fund's network development manager Clare Kassa said, 'The Family Fund is available to help bridge some of the financial shortfall these families face, but it's crucial that there is greater recognition at local and national levels of the vital role they play. Without this, these carers will fall beneath the radar and disabled children risk losing the vital care they provide.'
Carole Roebuck-Mitchell (pictured), a grandparent from Lancashire who cares full-time for her six-year-old granddaughter Keira, who has foetal alcohol syndrome, told Nursery World, 'Caring for Keira and her 19-year-old brother, who has a heart defect, is very stressful, as both have behavioural problems. I also suffer from back problems, which have stopped me from working. The only financial help we receive is Keira's disability living allowance and my husband's tax credits, which will stop in April. Social services helped at the beginning, but what we really need is respite care for Keira to give her a break.'
'Family Fund have been the biggest help and changed my life. They enabled me to take my driving test and are looking into paying for a special car seat for Keira.'
