Grandparents are “undervalued and overlooked” in Britain compared with those living elsewhere in Europe, according to a report written for the campaign group Grandparents Plus. It suggests that grandparents continue to play an important role in family life, providing help and support to children and grandchildren and also become primary caregivers when parents are unable to fulfil this role.

Despite the pivotal role which grandparents play, legislation and social policies often disregard grandparents’ contribution as major supporters or caregivers. However there are examples of progressive policies pursued in a number of European countries that enable families to meet their childcare needs more flexibly, for example by allowing parental leave or allowances to be transferred to a grandparent. As our populations age it is likely that future debate about the policy issues surrounding the grandparental role will become more prominent across Europe.

http://www.grandparentsplus.org.uk/wp.../Grandparenting-in-Europe-Report.pdf