FAMILY 

GRANDPARENTS AND THE EXTENDED FAMILY

The definition of the family unit has changed from the historical traditional family of being related by blood or marriage (one man and one woman). The generational family connections are breaking down in many circumstances and it is from the wider family support was found for struggling families was traditionally and historically found – this needs to be re-discovered to enhance the family support framework. When a family is found to be in crisis we will seek to assist where possible to recover the generational family connection to repair and enhance the crisis family’ experience. The role of the Department of the Family is to support these historical and generational family connections.

Policy:

• When a family is facing a crisis we will seek and encourage assistance from the wider family including the grandparents and where necessary support to put in place that assistance will be funded.
• Struggling families will be encouraged to seek a parent, grandparent, an adult sibling or other family member to assist during and through the crisis.

• Dysfunctional families will be encouraged to combine with their grandparents and undergo basic family training programs.

• In times of trauma the grandparents will be the first called upon to assist in the parenting of the young children.
• We will seek funding for grandparents to assist in the parenting of children in dysfunctional families.

• We believe extended family unit is a very valuable resource being destroyed by some social engineering that wants the state to unnecessarily take over the parenting role for our children.

• The Department of the Family will seek to support encourage and to enhance the family connections in what ever way that will assist all in the family to become self reliant in every way possible.
• The goal is to have families, including extended family members  managing children and not having children as wards of the state.
• This cannot be seen as reduced care for children but enhanced care in family settings with state support as, and if required.