Grandparenting: Roles and responsibilities and its implications for kinship care policies

Abstract

The current literature with regard to grandparents providing care to their grandchildren, whether on an informal basis or when the children are under the auspices of children's protection services (state-mandated intervention), highlights a number of issues or concerns for the caregivers. In the province of Newfoundland and Labrador (Canada), there is a focus on giving priority to grandparents (and significant others) as caregivers, which is embedded in the current child welfare legislation. There appears to be an underlying assumption that grandparents are willing and able to provide such care. However, no research has been completed in order to gain an understanding of some of the dynamics of caregiving by grandparents in this province. The authors are interested in grandparents as potential caregivers, particularly with regard to children who may come under the auspices of children's protection services. In addition, the policies and practices appear to be incongruent with current research, concerns and issues. This province is unique in that it has the fastest-growing senior population, the highest median age for seniors in Canada and has a high number of young families that have moved to other provinces to work. This research will provide insight into the willingness and ability of grandparents to provide care to their grandchildren, whether through informal or formal care (state intervention), as well as implications for current policies and practices.