Forms for contacting your MSP.

Dear Friends.

The past demonstrations that we have done has given us loads of publicity through the media. If you can get access to a computer you will see it all by using this link. http://gapukinfo.blogspot.com/

We have raised the profile of the need for grandparents to be in their children’s lives.

It now requires you to send to your MSP the letter I have enclosed with ‘What needs to change for our grandchildren’s best interests’ on the reverse. For them to bring it up in parliament. What transpires between you and your MSP is confidential and will not put you at any risk.

The demonstration we organised on 4th March 2009 in George Square, Glasgow City Centre attracted very good media attention from The Daily Mail, Sunday Express, Sunday Herald, Scottish GMTV, The Scotsman, Sunny Govan Radio Station, STV news, A BBC ½ hour program was broadcasted on Radio Scotland Battle lines at 11.30, 27th March 2009.

This demo was calling for ‘The Charter for Grandchildren’ to be made mandatory for professionals that work with the welfare of children and families to ensure children can have the best that grandparents can offer without treading on the toes of parents.

Our campaign on 25th March 2009 in Dundee was brilliant. We were right outside the room where the directors of social services were having registration and their morning coffee breaks. They could not help but see us as we waved to them. Someone heard them debating us being there so we have achieved what we came

Alan Baird the Director of Dundee social services has refused to resign over the Branden Muir case in Dundee. His secretary refused to give us any information as to his whereabouts and even refused to speak to the media. What are they hiding?

The media coverage was super, GMTV, STV, Radio Times, The Telegraph, The Courier and radio and newspaper reporters will be posted our blog http://gapukinfo.blogspot.com/ as they become available, and photos too. We can't thank them all enough for their coverage and kindness.

Jimmy

Stop Press.

As I was sorting out these 600+ letters to you all that does not have computors(which is an all out effort that our funds can afford. Please contact me if you are going to do it on line, to save us the expence of postage),

An MSP contacted me with this email below and my own MSP is very interested as well. We all need to get our own MSP interested. This is up to you, the more that does it the more of them that will take it forward and support it.. If you want things to change send the form to them now or do it on line.
Forms can be had on our blog http://grandparentsapartuk.blogspot.com/
To find your MSP and address on line enter you’re your address bar then click on contacts http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/msp/membersPages/MSPAddressPostcodeFinder.htm in your address bar and pt in your post code.
The more that sends the more will take not just interest but actually take it forward.

Dear James,

I am looking into the issue you have raised with J—T----- MSP about Grandparents' rights. I am looking into the possibility of tabling some questions to the government on this matter. Although I cannot say if this will definitely go ahead, I was wondering if you could tell me if Grandparents Apart UK have submitted their proposal to the Scottish Government and if so, when and have they had a response?
Yours,

Fill in form below and copy and paste all below this line to your MSP
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Dear ………………………………………………………MSP,

The Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh
EH99 1SP

I have contacted Grandparents Apart UK for support regarding losing contact with our grandchildren. With their nine years experiences and what has happened to me I feel justified in supporting this proposal and would be obliged if you would bring it up in parliament for consideration.
The proposal:-

‘What needs to change for our grandchildren’s best interests’

Failure to implement ‘The Charter for Grandchildren’ for mandatory use by professionals who work in children’s welfare is neglect in providing all the possible protection children need and in many ways is actually encouraging child abuse

I understand this statement will not be discussed or shown to anyone outside the theatre of government and will be completely confidential.

I look forward to your reply.


Name……………………………………………………………………….

Address…………………………………………………………………….

……………………………………………………………………………….

Post code……………………

Phone number…………………………………………………………….

E-mail………………………………………………………………………

Signature………………………………………………………………….
(If you have one)

There is a huge rise in drug and alcohol abuse and there is reckoned to be a million children in Britain today living in a home with one or both parents addicted to drugs or alcohol. and fear of the ever increasing cases of child abuse from different partners in a child’s life Grandparents Apart UK have considered a new proposal in the best interests of children.

Our new proposal is considering the child in as much as not to have the protection of their grandparents in child abuse cases is criminal neglect by the authorities and not in their best interests. Every means of protection should be used.

We therefore propose that ‘The Charter for Grandchildren’ ‘ The role grandparent can play in their grandchildren’s lives’ must be mandatory for professionals dealing with children thereby ensuring in the absence of one or both parents that the love and protective role grandparents can play is not wasted as is the case at present because grandparents are regarded as irrelevant persons and therefore rarely considered in practice.…Being mandatory for professionals would not be an imposition on the parents or family in general…If the governments were to adopt this as an example it would send a message of encouragement to families that grandparents can be a huge asset in the family and it could be worthwhile attending mediation focussing on the best interests of the children.

It is generally agreed by governments and most organisations dealing with children that grandparents are important in the family.. It is also agreed that they can be vital in the early detection of child abuse and in the care and stability of children when they are in a crisis situation especially in the middle of the night. That is if they are informed about it at all being irrelevant persons. If the crisis has been violent and very upsetting it would be in the best interests of the children to be settled as quickly as possible with someone who cares for them.

What needs to change for our children’s best interest?

1…Our motto is “Bringing Families Together” so we think the best interests of a child starts with Equal parenting when there is no factually proven reason not to.

2....‘Charter for Grandchildren’ to be Mandatory for Professionals working in Children’s welfare.

3…Children are human beings. Stop treating them as commodities like a business deal

4.....If adopted, where appropriate, child contact maintained with birth family in line with article 8 of the un convention on the rights of the child. (should only be stopped in the worst case scenario)

5 ...Kinship care before strangers to be the first choice.

6. …All below accountable to law. (a)--..False accusations. (b)-..Erroneous reporting by social workers. (c)…Flouting of court orders (d) Social Service Orchestrating “cover up’s”, when children are Failed

7… Proper recording of all social work meetings and discussions E.g. Dual tape recording similar to police proceedings (to prevent and combat section 6 b+d)

8….More “transparency” and especially “accountability” for Social work and their managers

9…. Specialised training for social workers in the best interests of children. (Only the most highly experienced social workers to deal in child protection)

10…. Accusations removed from record, when not