This film highlights the role of grandparents as kinship carers. In general, grandparents are recognised as playing significant supportive roles in the lives of their families. However, their role as carers who take on full parental responsibilities for their grandchildren is less widely understood. Neither are the financial implications and sacrifices of grandparents as kinship carers fully appreciated. This film was commissioned by Edinburgh Council for the Scottish Older People's Assembly 2013 and made by Dr Val Bissland, (University of Strathclyde and SOPA Committee member). The film features kinship carers Brian and Jackie who are grandparents. Brian looks after his son's two children. He and his wife took on the role 7 years ago at the request of the social work department.The children's parents have long-term drug addiction problems and the mother has spent time in custody. 4 years ago Brian's wife died but he continues to care for his two granddaughters.He describes his initial shock at the children's plight and his 4 year fight to receive a kinship payment. This replaced the interim payment of just £25 per week. He explains why he withdrew his application for a residency order. This would have given him rights similar to adoption, but he might have lost the kinship payment. He also points out the anomaly that foster parents receive twice as much as kinship carers.However, when additional fostering payments are included, the amount can be considerably more. Jackie and her husband took over the care of their two grandchildren five years ago when Jackie was approached by her daughter who was struggling with drink and drug addiction. Jackie gave up her job and applied for a kinship payment. However she was unsuccessful because she and her husband had volunteered for this role. Jackie receives child tax credit but this is less than she was earning. They do not have a social worker and so cannot reapply for kinship care. Both families are supported by the charity Circle. Circle ( http://www.circlescotland.org ) strives to improve the lives of children and families in Scotland.

• published: 05 Dec 2013
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