National Advice Line

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020 7735 8941
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The International Network

What we do

CFAB is the only charity specifically set up to achieve the best outcomes for children and families in the UK separated from their loved ones.

We provide direct assistance, support and hope to:

re-unite children with their families, provided this is in their best interests;

to assist children and adults in re-establishing and maintaining contact with parents and extended grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings;

to keep children safe and protected at all times when they move across borders.

To learn about the services CFAB offers please click here

CFAB is almost entirely dependent on its own fundraising ability, and it is vital that we continue to raise more funds so that we can assist the very many children and families who need our expertise today.

Many of us take for granted growing up in a stable loving family environment, for many children this is simply not the case. CFAB offers a life line to these children. Help us to change a child's life forever...

To learn more about what you can do to help please click here

Who We Help and Why

Whilst for many of us international borders provide opportunities for travel and discovery, for many forgotten children they act as barriers between them and their families.

An ever-increasing number of children, siblings, grandparents, aunts and uncles in the UK are separated from their family members and extended family network overseas. This number is growing rapidly as globalisation and the internationalisation of the UK pulls even more families apart.

Many separated children remain ‘placed’ in institutions or with non-family members, deprived of their right to family life, deprived of any contact with their own relatives, with consequent risks to their personal, emotional, cognitive and behavioural development.

CFAB offers a life line for these people and the number of people we help is continually arising.

Our Vision

To achieve the best outcomes for children and families in the UK who are separated from loved ones across international borders.
To provide expert services to, and on behalf of, any relevant professional organisation or individual needing our help and unique knowledge and expertise.

Our Mission

To advocate for children and other vulnerable individuals by ensuring that their best interests are paramount and that their right to family life is respected.
To make our skills, knowledge and network available to all parties involved with or affected by cross-border separation, whether the enquiry comes from individuals, family members, lawyers, social workers, Judges or other professionals.
To build our reputation as a unique provider of these services in the UK.

Our core beliefs & values

Expert in the field
Compassionate
Pragmatic
Professional
Promote every child's right to a family life

Our History

International Social Service is a non-profit organisation that was established in 1924 in Geneva, Switzerland. Initially, its purpose was to offer its services to families who had become separated when migrating from Europe and the Middle East to America.

International Social Service UK was founded in the aftermath of World War II to address family welfare issues throughout Europe and beyond and in 1955, it became a registered charity.