Supporting grandcarers to improve the welfare of children

We Listen Guide Support Connect

Who We Are

We are a professional team with diverse credentials, capabilities, and life experience, committed to supporting Grandcarers, those who have concerns about the safety and welfare of their grandchildren and those who are experiencing alienation.

We provide a listening ear and practical, effective advice and support.  Our shared belief is that all children have the right to feel safe and loved, and to know from whom and where they came.

See our client comments>>

Diversity and Inclusion

Grandcarers SA is working to build a more diverse, inclusive team that reflects the communities where we live, work and play. We embrace diversity and inclusion and value the unique backgrounds and experience of our team, Grandcarers, grandchildren and their families.

See our Values Statements

What We Do

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Established in 2002 (formerly known as Grandparents For Grandchildren SA), we believe that all children and young people have the right to a safe, secure and nurturing family environment where the role of Grandcarer (grandparent and kinship carers of their family’s children) is recognised, supported and valued.

To achieve this, we assist Grandcarers to access and care for their children by providing them with information, support and advocacy, including:

 

  • Practical advice and referrals
  • Financial assistance through our Education and Development Fund
  • Mobile Outreach and Village Support Program
  • Sector advocacy
  • Telephone support service

Can We Help You

The majority of our clients are not part of the traditional ‘child placement’ system.  Most have accepted the role of informal primary carers of children for a large variety of reasons through personal arrangements. Our client base primarily consists of grandcarers who are: Custodial grandcarers, (some with DCP placed children,

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The Voice of Grandcarers

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Grandcarers talk about the requirement of more support in order to bring up the children in their care.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the origins of your organisation?

Grandcarers SA (previously Grandparents For Grandchildren SA) was created 21 years ago by grandparent carers who were unable to access services for their grandchildren due to a lack of an ‘official’ status as carers. The organisation is now a multi-faceted service developed to assist grandparent and kinship care families across South Australia through personal, peer and financial support.

What is a Grandcarer?

Grandcarers are the primary carers of, or alienated from, their kin’s children. Grandcarers SA primarily supports grandparents but also supports other primary informal kinship carers.

Do I need to have formalised guardianship of my grand/kin children to ask for help?

No. We understand that there are times when Grandcarers take on primary caring responsibilities for children that does not involve formal paperwork or court involvement, including private family arrangements. If in doubt, please give us a call!

Do I need a referral?

No, you are able to self-refer, just give us a call!

Are you able to assist marginalised community members?

Yes. Grandcarer from all backgrounds who registered as clients have access to our services.

Will my information be shared?

No, any personal information is given and kept in confidence.

Are Grandcarers SA affiliated with any other organisation or government department?

No, Grandcarers SA is an independent incorporated non-government organisation. To benefit clients, we occasionally collaborate or partner with other agencies that can provide services to our Grandcarers or to participate in joint activities, but we remain autonomous.

How are you funded?

Grandcarers SA receive operational funding from the SA Department of Human. The Department have a long-term commitment to this arrangement.

We work hard to source grant funding from philanthropic organisations for specific projects and funding for our Education and Development Fund.

Does your service have a joining/membership fee?

No, we are a free service, we just ask each new person to register with us by providing their details on our Client Registration Form.

We would like to thank our Supporters

Acknowledgement of Country

As an organisation we acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land, and pay our respects to Elders, past, present and emerging, for they hold the memories, traditions, the culture and the hopes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Separation

“The feeling of being shattered when you’re separated from someone you love.”

Artist: Kel Rankine from the Ngarrindjeri Group

Acrylic on canvas 11/12/2017

Presented to Grandparents For Grandchildren 2018.