What We do

We protect children and reunite families across borders.

Our Vision

CFAB’s vision is of a world where the complexity of migration and international separation does not deny children in need the right to care, protection and a safe family environment.

Our Mission

CFAB’s mission is to use our expertise to ensure children who have become separated from their families across international borders, are given care and protection, no matter where they come from. 

Our Values

Throughout our long history, CFAB’s values of professionalism, impartiality and respect underpin everything we do to provide care and protection for children in need, and reunite them with family wherever possible. 

Our network

Our global network

We have partners in over 130 countries

CFAB works with partners in over 130 countries, both as part of the International Social Service (ISS) network and through independent partnerships.

CFAB is the UK member of the International Social Service (ISS) – a network of social workers, lawyers and other child protection professionals and partners in over 130 countries.

Formed 90 years ago and headquartered in Geneva, the ISS is the only international network focused on inter-country social work.  In 2019, the ISS became an Accredited Commonwealth Organisation with CFAB as the representative body engaging with the Secretariat.

The ISS network gives us unrivalled access to expert, on-the-ground support which allows us to assess whether a child’s return to their home country is realistic and in their best interests. This is more appropriate and cost-effective than sending social workers from the UK to make family assessments overseas.

Our History

CFAB celebrated our 65th anniversary in 2020. 

CFAB was established in response to the refugee crisis after World War II in 1955 and we have been protecting children who have become separated from their families across international borders ever since.

what we do

Stats about us

250

K

CHILDREN HELPED
through our Advice Line since it opened

300

+

referrals each year
from local authorities, other NGOs, our ISS Partners
and solicitors

55

New families supported
in 22/23 through our Post-placement support project
in the UK

Our Values

Our Values

We protect children and reunite families across borders.

CFAB exists to ensure that every child in the UK has the right to care, protection and family life, no matter where they come from.

In an increasingly globalised world, we recognise the complexity of international social work. With our partners worldwide, CFAB works to increase efficiency and provide an effective, high quality service. 

We provide our expertise and experience to local authorities, the courts and other public agencies to help ensure the best possible outcomes for children. 

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Professionalism

As the UK arm of the ISS Network, CFAB is part of a worldwide network of professionals working in over 130 countries, allowing us to access expert support from around the world to protect children at risk. CFAB’s team includes professionally qualified social workers and caseworkers specially trained to manage inter-country social work cases.

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Impartiality

CFAB’s work is grounded in the best interests of vulnerable children and adults and we defend and uphold their rights to protection, care and family life. CFAB does not have any political affiliation or agenda. We work with local authorities, the courts, the police and other agencies to ensure that the protection and care of vulnerable children and adults is at the heart of decision-making.

Respect

CFAB ensures children and vulnerable adults play a role in decisions that affect their lives. We value the role, expertise and experience of our overseas partners, without whom we could not effectively safeguard children and vulnerable adults. We recognise that the complexity of international social work demands we all work together to secure the best outcome possible for every beneficiary.