Grandparents caring for their grandchildren are pleading for more support after a new study reveals they are struggling.

A new study has found grandparents acting as carers are in dire need of more support and are often not acknowledged in major decisions relating to the child.

Currently, 50 per cent of children in formal kinship placement are living with their grandparents.

Caller Keryn has broken down in tears as she explains to Natalie Peters and Edwina Bartholomew how hard it is.

“I can’t even begin to tell you how tough it is. You can’t be a grandparent to your grandchild, you have to be parents and it’s a very fine line.

“There’s nobody that helps you.”

Jeff heard the call and says he resonated with Karen, so much so that he thought it was his wife who called in.

“There is nothing, you have no friends you have no life, there is no support.

“Financial support would be great… but even having contacts or care assistance or somebody that you can talk to!”

Click PLAY to hear their emotional plea

Council on the Ageing CEO Ian Yates tells Natalie and Edwina grandparents need a mix of financial and emotional support.

“This is a problem that has been in existence for a long time and doesn’t go away.

“The bulk of childcare in the younger ages is actually still done by grandparents.

“It’s about having access to some knowledge and it’s not always easy straight away to find that.”

Click PLAY to hear the full interview