Children's community services should always include grandparents and the older generation

Ofsted (the people who inspect children's facilities) has published a good practice example of a community and children's centre in Lancashire. No mention of grandparents though - a whole lot of stuff about building community networks.

My view is that it should be a matter of principle that children's lives should include older people. And a good practice example should show how the community and family resource of the odler generation is being involved in the lives of the young. It's good for the children, the parnetal generation and the older generation.

Think about it, Ofsted.

Link to the Good practice example.

Grandparents should always be part of official action on families

I looked at the Ofsted (the government’s children’s services regulators) consultation on how it was going to inspect residential family centres. These are places where families are helped alongside their children to care for them better. No mention of grandparents. I think families would probably always care for their children better if grandparents were involved, and very often grandparents are important care resources. So why are they not involved?

Link to Ofsted Consultation on inspection of residential family centres