A Federal Government-funded free event for carer grandparents will be held in Newcastle on March 8 after shocking evidence to a Senate inquiry of the extent of grandparent carers across Australia.

“I know personally of more than 500 families who are caring for grandchildren, and in 85-90 per cent of cases it’s due to drugs and alcohol,” said grandparent carer advocate Karen Lizasoain of the Mirabel Foundation.

“I know of two families where there are nine children in care.”

There are 10 Grandparents as Parents Support (GAPS) groups in the Hunter, including Singleton, Gloucester, Morisset, Belmont, Mayfield, Cessnock and Nelson Bay. The average age of grandmother carers is 63, many are age pensioners or have health issues, and many are also caring for a spouse or elderly parents, Ms Lizasoain said.

The Federal Government-funded Raising Children Network – a free parenting website visited by 40,000 people each day – will host a Connecting Carers event at Newcastle on March 8 to provide information and support for grandparent, kinship and non-parent carers.

“Grandparent, kinship and non-parent carers often find themselves thrust into a full-time parenting role with little preparation and very mixed feelings,” said Raising Children Network executive director, Associate Professor Julie Green.

Grandparents and other family members often become primary carers in traumatic and emergency situations, where both children and carers are emotionally devastated.

Grandchildren can be taken into care because of the sudden death of a parent due to drugs or alcohol, suicide, severe mental illness or the jailing of a parent or parents.

“It can come as a big shock for everyone involved,” Associate Professor Green said.

“Carers may have known there was a problem, but the extent of the problem might only be known when they’re asked to care for the children.

“It can affect a carer’s ability to work, their marriage and friendships. Many find themselves in a situation they didn’t really anticipate at that point in their lives.”

The Connecting Carers Newcastle event will be held at the Novotel, Newcastle Beach on March 8 from 10am-2.30pm, with information on local services, legal issues, responding to trauma, respite options and looking after yourself. Free on-site child care is available.

“The forum is about connecting carers to new resources and trying to give grandparents information about how to look after themselves, the importance of making connections by joining a group, and providing updated information about children’s development,” Associate Professor Green said.

While raising grandchildren was challenging, ‘Grandparents do talk about the joys – how lovely it is to have kids in their care, to watch them grow and develop, to provide them with routine in their lives.”

Registrations are essential and can be made by emailing grandparents@raisingchildren.net.au or calling 1800 952 968.