CFAB Signs Inter-agency Statement in Support of Global Care Reform

Children and Families Across Borders is proud to join 20 non-governmental organisations in signing an inter-agency statement welcoming the Foreign Secretary’s gloabl care reform campaign.

Last week the Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, launched an unprecedented campaign advocating for family-based care for all children across the globe. With the right political and financial backing, the proposed reforms could transform care for children worldwide. CFAB is proud to have supported campaign behind the scenes, and we are delighted to see our priorities shared on a global stage.

We will keep working to prevent family separation and champion alternative family-based care alongside the Foreign Secretary until #EquityInPermanency is achieved for every child. ⁠⁠

Inter-agency statement:

24 January 2025

Interagency statement welcoming Foreign Secretary’s care reform campaign

We, the undersigned CEOs, strongly welcome Foreign Secretary David Lammy’s new global campaign on care reform, launched last week in Bulgaria. We look forward to continuing to work closely with the UK Government, international partners, and children and young people themselves, on this vital issue.

As representatives from across the child protection, child care reform, faith, and disability sector, we know first-hand that children can only thrive and get the best start in life in a safe and loving family. Sadly, for millions of children around the world, this isn’t the case. The international community has failed to come together to drive and support transformative, lasting change, and too many children continue to grow up without family and in harmful institutions, particularly children with disabilities. We’re pleased the Foreign Secretary is making this an international priority, because care reform can’t come soon enough.

There is no one size fits all solution, but we sincerely hope the Foreign Secretary’s campaign will mark a turning point for care reform, including strengthening families to prevent children unnecessarily entering the care system, ending the institutionalisation of children, supporting children outside of adult care, and investing in care leavers’ support and wellbeing. This campaign can play a critical role in tackling this global crisis. To achieve this, it must be backed up with the necessary political will, investment and resources, and capacity and expertise.

It’s time to move beyond pockets of progress and towards radical change. We are encouraged that the UK will lead a new global alliance to advocate for effective and sustainable solutions, which can build on local knowledge and practice, and the insights and expertise of children and people who have experienced care. It’s only by putting children at the heart of care reform, and working in equitable, inclusive, and meaningful partnerships with other sectors and countries, that we can drive transformative, lasting change.

We look forward to seeing how existing commitments will be strengthened to deliver an ambitious agenda for action in the upcoming Global Charter, and we stand ready to support this campaign and work with the UK Government, together with partner countries, civil society, and children and young people. We hope this will be the start of a journey to make sure every child can thrive and get the best start in life in a safe and loving family.

1. Lauren Watters, Co-CEO of Able Child Africa

2. Ruth Wacuka, Director of Association for Care Leavers Networks in Africa

3. Florence Martin, Executive Director of Better Care Network

4. Peter K. Muthui, Director of Child in Family Focus

5. Carolyn Housman, CEO of Children and Families Across Borders

6. Christopher Muwanguzi, CEO of Childs i Foundation

7. Eric Rosenthal, Executive Director of Disability Rights International

8. Elli Oswald, Executive Director of Faith to Action Initiative

9. Amanda Griffith, CEO of Family for Every Child

10. Martin Dickson, Chair of Homecoming

11. Mark Waddington, CEO of Hope and Homes for Children

12. Joshua Smedley, CEO of Just Love UK