Grandparents wanted

I'd say your way forward would be to forget for the moment that you would like substutute grandparents for them, and concentrate on making friends for yourself, of all ages. When those people have been friends of you for a while, they will become familiar to your children, and it is possible (not guaranteed) that they will become friends with them too.

If you go looking for older people to link them up with your children, you run the risk of finding those who want to be found - those whose interest in befriending children is less than altruistic.

To those innocent older people who are genuine and would love surrogate grandchildren - I am sorry to have to say this, but it is true that most child abuse is by relatives or people close to the family. I wish it were not so.

Regarding CAB checks they would only prove that a person has or has not been convicted or seriously suspected of offences against children.

It only means that an individual has never yet come to the attention of the authorities regarding suspicions of any child abuse.

Sorry to be so negative but as I said on the other recent thread, men with peodophile tendencies tend to be on the lookout for vulnerable isolated women to befriend. Sorry about the generalisation as well.

I agree completely. A Facebook page is an advertisement of you and your young children's vulnerability. Its very sad but people wanting access to kids can be very plausible indeed. Is there no other way you can make social contacts?

Sorry but I think setting up a Facebook page would be inviting completely the wrong sort of people ………. all looks very suspicious to me and surely any sensible thoughtful person would never meet strangers in a park to meet their children…….. ?????

I've written a separate forum discussion, without realising this one recent one existed. I wonder if an FB page might help and just let people act autonomously -- just like a dating agency, but for older people to meet younger families. I think you can be sensible as an individual, just meet in a park / safe place etc, and maybe do a few email chats prior, to see if you have any likeminded interests etc, share common beliefs and values etc...it really should be something that can just run itself, without any policing as such, maybe I'll set up an fb group and families and grandparents can join and chat, and maybe then set up group play days, at local parks or outings etc...

Fab. idea. A register of GPs to be would really lovely. Guess though , that as has been noted, child protection issues might scupper it?

I am a great grandmother with no access to my grandchildren as my DiL does not like me. I live in Derbyshire and would love to have a surrogate
grandchild. Any takers?

That sounds ideal Charley girl

I appear to have been "adopted" by 3 of the children who live close to me. One is 8 years of age, a boy and the other two are brother and sister, the girl will be 8 this month and her brother is 4 and a bit. I have not established how old the "bit" part is!

Maybe that will happen to your children MrsC15- they may find a neighbour who takes an interest in them for the right reasons.

That was the consensus last time this issue was raised Ash Tree. There are so many potential risks. Even formerly close and trusting family relationships can go badly wrong and who would do the CRB checks for example.

Of course, setting up an agency of this kind would be fraught with difficulties, security and so on, and I'm sure there will be plenty of people on here who have more knowledge than me about what would be involved.
On reflection, not sure I'd want the responsibility of putting older adults in touch with young children

Well I'm in Devon, so not much use as a surrogate Granny, but I really think you should have a go at setting up a Surrogate Grandparents agency. What a great idea! Good luck

What a great idea. As a Granny whose Grandchildren live in Australia I see it from the other side. If you want a hand to set it up ..

I live in Yorkshire