Darwen baroness helps in child care law battle (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Darwen baroness helps in child care law battle

4:22pm Wednesday 10th March 2010 in

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BARONESS Massey of Darwen has won her fight to change the Child Poverty Bill to recognise the role of grandparents.

Doreen Massey, a former teacher who was brought up in the town, has been lobbying in conjunction with the Family Rights Group for the Government to recognise the term ‘parent’ as referring to any individual with parental responsibility for a child, or with whom a child resides.

The Bill, due to become law this month, sets targets to eradicate child poverty.

Cathy Ashley, chief executive of Family Rights Group, said: “Research has shown that 75 per cent of family and friends carers experienced financial hardship, 35 per cent overcrowding and 31 per cent a disability or chronic illness.

“In over 30 per cent of cases, relatives have to give up work to raise these very vulnerable children, who have often exprienced tragedy or trauma such as parental bereavement or abuse.

“Yet to date, children living with family and friends carers are overlooked from official statistics. This amendment should change that.”