Local Authority Registration

Children and Families Across Borders offers Local Authorities the opportunity to register with CFAB, allowing them the opportunity to take full advantage of our services and resources.

To register with us, download an application form here

As an intercountry social work resource centre, CFAB can be utilised by UK practitioners to:

• Obtain information and advice on how to deal effectively with a specific inter-country social work issue and the pros, cons and risks of differential practices that have evolved to seek to address intercountry social work issues. This will allow the local practitioner, and/or their manager to make cost effective decisions, ensuring resources are directed towards approaches offering the most promising outcomes.

• Access social work services overseas: drawing on the resources and services of the cross-national ISS network. Local practitioners can thus be linked, through ISS, to a network of social welfare agencies around the world. There are individual case charges for using the Casework Services of CFAB.

By accessing the specialist resource of CFAB, local practitioners can draw upon our global perspective; expert knowledge of international conventions and comparative policies and services; cultural and legal awareness and cross national network, enabling them to obtain successful outcomes for the children and families facing a social work issue in an international context.

Advantages of Registration

Priority Service: Priority free access to the National Intercountry Social Work Helpline manned by specialist intercountry social workers.

Financial Benefit: Registered Local Authorities would still be required to pay individual case charges but, as a registered authority, the charges are significantly lower than those of authorities who are not registered (which incur a 75% unregistered user charge). This results in a major saving and registration fees can be easily recouped on a single casework fee.

Training: Members of Registered Authorities receive a reduction on the fees for attendance at CFAB training courses, and are given opportunities for CFAB to contribute to other training events.

Information Network: Annual registration includes a free subscription to the Monthly Newsletter produced by the ISS International Reference Centre for the Rights of Children Deprived of their Family (IRC), the research arm of CFAB. Containing useful website addresses and contacts and can be a very useful reference tool for practitioners. Additionally, as a registered local authority you will receive a copy of the CFAB Newsletter, currently produced four times per year, to keep you updated on new developments at CFAB and legal and professional practice issues.

Feedback

“Our Department had not called CFAB for a couple of years, I was impressed with the advice given and would happily call again” - Social Worker, Leicestershire SSD

“Very impressed” - Social Worker, Peterborough SSD

“Impressed with the service”- Social Worker, Ceredigion SSD

“Very clear and concise, very professional, provided me with all the information I needed” - Social Worker, Trafford SSD