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Please call us on:
020 7735 8941
Mon-Fri 10am to 4pm

Children and Families Across Borders (CFAB) is a unique UK-based charity which identifies and protects children who have been separated from family members as a consequence of trafficking, abduction, migration, divorce, conflict and asylum, as well as other vulnerable individuals in often desperate circumstances. 

*CFAB was previously known as ISS UK*

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CFAB has launched a NEW Membership Scheme to all Local Authorities across the United Kingdom available to sign up to today!  Offered to all Local Authorities, becoming a member will give you complete access to our expert services for a single annual payment of only £5000. 

Local Authorities have already started to sign up and enjoy the unprecedented benefits of this scheme.

What is the Scheme?


For just £5000 per year Local Authorities will receive: 

  • Unlimited case consultancy
  • Unlimited information and specialist advice for statutory cases regarding children and family work in international contexts. 
  • Assistance in all Hague 1996 and Brussels IIa matters. CFAB will carry out all 1996 Hague Convention assessment requests in your Local Authority which otherwise would be your responsibility. 
  • Two bespoke training events for up to 50 staff members on either Child Trafficking, Private Fostering, Children in Care or International Social Work Issues. 
  • Expert input to strategy meetings, case conferences and LSCB as required. 
  • Advice and guidance to UK social workers travelling overseas if this becomes necessary. Includes visa advice and linking UK workers with professionals overseas. 
  • Priority bookings on CFAB symposiums, conferences and annual lectures. 
  • Quarterly Newsletter.

 

 

Why Join the scheme?

 

Now, more than ever, increasing financial pressures are facing us all.  At the same time, so too are the demands made on Children’s Services, including cases with an international dimension.  

The issues surrounding international social work are increasingly complex with many local authorities seeing a rise in cases involving issues such as trafficking, private fostering from overseas and LAC, for whom placement with family members in another country may be the best option.  Children and Families Across Borders (previously known as ISS UK) has significant experience in these matters and can help your staff to avoid some of the pitfalls. 

 

  • CFAB is the only organisation in the UK that provides this service or expertise. 
  • Our current fee structure will be increasing by at least 25% in April 2013. This means you would spend more than £5000 if you procure just 2 overseas assessments a year from us. Membership will give greater certainty to your financial planning
  • At present vital information needed for your cases is not obtained due to frontline staff not being able to agree the current fees requested. Joining will mean your staff can use CFAB as often as they need for one fixed annual upfront membership cost. 
  • Child protection investigations of children from overseas, trafficked children and children in your care who are from overseas are ever increasing. Joining CFAB’s membership scheme will save you time and money as well as meeting the safeguarding needs of your service users. 
  •  Opportunity to participate in innovative project work, involving children in your area from overseas, throughout the year
  • By joining over the next 3 months we will freeze the £5000 annual fee for 3 years.  You are free to pay for the three years up front or in yearly installments.

 

Why CFAB?

 

  • CFAB is a unique organisation which provides advice and assistance to professionals dealing with international social work issues involving the UK and another country. 
  • With over 50 years’ experience as part of an international network spanning more than 120 countries worldwide, our specialist role is recognised and trusted by the UK and local Government, the Family Division of the High Court and other major NGOs such as NSPCC, Save the Children and Barnardos. 
  • We cover international child protection, placing children overseas, UASC’s, child trafficking, private fostering, parental child abduction, international surrogacy and international welfare issues for vulnerable adults.
  • In the past 2 years CFAB has assisted in placing 60 children with family members overseas, and follow up work has shown all of these placements are proceeding successfully. These placements were all made within the child’s timescales in the framework of UK care proceedings. As well as being in the best interests of the children concerned, these placements have saved hundreds of thousands of pounds for Local Authorities in care costs.
  • In 2012 our Advice Line dealt with over 2,000 queries from UK Local Authorities covering cases involving more than 120 countries. We sampled 10% of calls for quality assurance and have 96% of callers rating our service as “excellent” or “very good.” 

 

How to join

 

The membership scheme is available to join up to immediately! Join over the next 3 months and we will freeze the annual fee at £5,000 for the next 3 years!

If you are interested in joining the scheme please fill out the Membership Sign Up Form (available to download below) and scan and email it back to us at: membership@cfab.org.uk 

 A contract will be then be issued along with an invoice. 

 The Membership Services will begin from the date the funds are received by CFAB. 

 You will then be issued with a Membership Certificate stating your Membership Start Date. 

 So contact us today and don’t miss out on the 3 year fixed rate!