Children and Families Across Borders is a national charity founded in 1955 that provides advice in resolving international child protection cases. CFAB is the only charity in the UK which provides international child protection social services. It works with local authorities in the UK to help professionals navigate social care systems abroad. It also works with children and families to help understand their situations and ensure that the child’s best interests are protected. It works in cooperation with local authorities, the courts, the police and other agencies. Services include assessments, record checks and welfare visits, among others. As the UK arm of the Geneva-based International Social Service, CFAB has access to a worldwide network of professionals and partners in over 120 countries. The ISS is accredited to the United Nations Economic and Social Council. At the core of CFAB’s work, and that of the International Social Service network globally, is ensuring that children who are separated from families across international borders are given adequate care and protection.
History
CFAB was founded in 1955 as the UK branch of the International Social Service Network, known as 'ISS GB' or 'ISS UK'. It was originally established to deal with the social impact of numerous global events throughout the 1950s. In 2009, the charity changed its name to 'Children and Families Across Borders.' In 2010, CFAB was responsible for arranging the high-profile reunification of parents with children who had been abducted and taken to Libya.
Present day
Between 2008 and 2016, CFAB was funded first through the Department for Children, Schools and Families, and later through the Department for Education to provide the UK’s only free national advice line, providing consultations to UK-based professionals managing international child protection cases. Despite the Voluntary and Community Sector funding route closing in 2016, CFAB continues to operate this advice line free of charge. In 2010, CFAB was asked to give evidence to the UK Parliamentary Education Committee, on the child protection service in England. CFAB has campaigned on a number of issues. These have included:
CFAB is a prominent member of the Refugee Children's Consortium, a group of NGOs working collaboratively to ensure that the rights and needs of refugee children are promoted, respected and met in accordance with the relevant domestic, regional and international standards. As of 2019, CFAB has been offering dedicated post-placement support to families who have been reunited in the UK across international borders, via Dublin III or other immigration routes. The post placement support project provides advice, and practical and emotional guidance and assistance for whole families in this situation, helping them to stick together where this is beneficial, understand their rights, and achieve their full potential.
