Advice on legal rights regarding a contact order?

Hi,


I'd like to know what legal right a grandparent has over her grandchild (this is a U.K. incident) regarding her making a contact order to see the child.


Does a grandparent have a right to get a contact order? She has never been a guardian or carer to the child, only a babysitter.


ThanksAdvice on legal rights regarding a contact order?
It's a difficult question without knowing the whole story and we don't need to know.





First port of call would be Citizens Advice, (it's free and confidential).





If it is a matter of child welfare then yes there is a good chance, if it is a simple family falling out then there is no legal right.





Social Services always put next of kin as the first point contact in welfare cases, but that again depends on the case circumstances.





Edit: A grand parent would have no rights unless the child was subject to a Social Services Order. The mother could seek a restraining order on the grounds of harrassment actually preventing the grand parent coming anywhere near the child if this is a family falling out.Advice on legal rights regarding a contact order?
It depends. If she has been a babysitter...she has cared for the child and probably has a relationship/bond with the child. In the US, grandparents rights are not often taken seriously because the US constitution protects the rights of PARENTS over the rights of grandparents...not sure how it works in the UK.
You do have some limited rights - mainly if the child is at risk. Best place to start is with Social Services - enlist their help but be prepared to take the backlash from your child about this. Having said that, if you feel that the grandchild is not safe, you would be doing the right thing. Good luck - been there.