Former Children's Commissioner Mark Morrissey says grandparent carers and their grandchildren are at risk of poverty and poor health, and is calling for a full, state government inquiry into the issues faced by this growing cohort.
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"I have spoken to grandparents who have taken on responsibility for their grandchildren who have subsequently experienced great personal hardship," he said.
"This included homelessness, ill health and extreme poverty. Not only has this seriously impacted their lives but also the life outcomes of the child or children."
Mr Morrissey said governments had a responsibility to act, adding that the state should agitate loudly on behalf of grandparents when dealing with the Commonwealth.
"The desperate circumstances of many grandparents need to be recognised and addressed," Mr Morrissey said.
"This matter requires a full inquiry and analysis at the state level, undertaken by independent experts in this field. The issues need to be fully identified and understood in order to respond adequately.
"Elderly grandparents already fully occupied in raising grandchildren should not be in a position where they are also having to lobby and agitate for 'a fair go'."
The government was contacted for comment but did not respond by deadline.
Mr Morrissey said another key issues is lack of adequate and therapeutic support for children in informal care.
"The trauma experienced by many of these children is often overlooked or ignored by governments … if a child is subsequently left in a situation of poverty and lacks the necessary therapeutic suppports then this is not in the best interest of the child."
He said evidence clearly showed that children in the care of grandparents have much better outcomes than kids in foster care.
"This should be acknowledged and recognised by adequately resourcing grandparent-led families."
He added the numbers of grandparent carers are unknown.
"We do know that nationally the numbers are increasing, resources need to be committed to quantifying the numbers and issues faced by grandparent carers.
The Tasmanian Education Department states on its website there are more than 1600 grandparents raising school-aged children.
The state-funded carers program by Mission Australia and Baptcare have seen more than 600 families since 2011, 240 in the North-West, 135 in the North and 250 in the South.
It offers 15 hours support.
