Grandcarers are grandparents who provide care for their grandchildren usually on a fulltime and unpaid basis. Grandcarers are a vital part of our community, supporting children to be cared for in safe, nurturing homes that promote family stability and maintain family ties.
Grandparent Carer Support Services Program
The Department of Communities provides annual funding to Wanslea to deliver the Grandparent Carers Support Services (GCSS) Program. Wanslea is a not-for profit organisation and is the leading provider of services for families and children in Western Australia.
The GCSS Program provides a range of support services for grandcarers, including counselling and support on parenting, financial and legal issues, the provision of respite and referrals to other specialist support agencies.
Further information on supports provided to grandcarers through the GCSS Program is available through Wanslea.
Grandcarers Support Scheme
The Grandcarers Support Scheme (GSS) is funded by the Department of Communities and administered by Wanslea under the GCSS Program.
The GSS provides an annual payment to informal grandcarers to acknowledge their parenting role and assist in meeting the costs of raising their grandchildren. The annual GSS payment rate is $1,000 per grandchild.
To be eligible for the GSS, a grandcarer you must be a full-time primary carer for your grandchild and must not be in receipt of other financial support from the Department of Communities (such as foster care or guardianship payments).
Further information on the GSS, including full eligibility criteria and information on how to apply, is available through Wanslea.
Grandfamilies Resource Guide
The Grandcarers Resource Guide provides contact details for a range of organisations and services that can help grandcarers to meet the needs of their grandchildren and assist grandcarers to maintain their own wellbeing. The Guide also includes important information on financial assistance and concessions; accommodation; childcare and education; and legal and custody issues.
Grandfamilies Legal Matters and Resource Guide
The Grandfamilies Legal Matters and Resource Guide is designed to assist grandcarers in Western Australia to understand the legal issues relating to the care of their grandchildren.
The Guide provides information to help grandcarers to determine whether a legal solution (for example, through a court order) should be sought for custody and other related matters. Links to relevant services are also provided.
Useful websites
The Bringing Up Great Kids website, developed by the Australian Childhood Foundation, provides parenting advice and support.
Kids Helpline is available Australia-wide, 24 hours a day, seven days a week (freecall: 1800 551 800).
