TY - BOOK AU - Worrall, Jill TI - Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Charitable Trust research report March 2005: Grandparents and other relatives raising kin children in Aotearoa/New Zealand PY - 2005/// CY - Auckland PB - Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Charitable Trust KW - FVC KW - CHILD PROTECTION KW - CHILDREN KW - FAMILIES KW - FOSTER CHILDREN KW - GRANDPARENTS KW - KINSHIP CARE KW - PARENTS KW - RESEARCH KW - SOCIAL SERVICES KW - NEW ZEALAND N1 - Commissioned by the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Charitable Trust; nz N2 - This study examines the experiences of grandparents and other relatives raising kin children, in many cases, as a result of family violence. A postal survey was used to collate qualitative data from 323 kin caregivers. The impetus of Child Youth and Family Services (CYFS) for children in need of protection to remain in the family has resulted in greater numbers of grandparents caring for their grandchildren. The organisation 'Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Charitable Trust' suggest that the needs of grandparents acting as carers are overlooked by policymakers and service providers. The participants in the study overwhelmingly cited financial constraints as a cause of ongoing stress, with 80 percent of respondents not meeting the costs of care with the allowance they receive from the state. Lack of support and understanding by professionals surrounding the unique needs of grandparents caring for children was emphasised by the participants. Many of the children in care experience physical and/or psychological problems, which placed extra strain on grandparents. Legal issues were also identified as problematic, including the high cost of applying for custody, and the length of time for custody decisions to be made. Recommendations include: income support paralleling that of foster care payments; legal expenses to be incurred by the state; more resources and support targeting grandparents acting as caregivers; and training for CYFS staff about the issues involved when placing children in kinship care UR - http://www.raisinggrandchildren.org.nz/research.htm UR - http://www.raisinggrandchildren.org.nz/uploads/75791/files/Research_Report_final.pdf ER -