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Campaigns, Advocacy and Partnerships
Utilising our 50 years of expertise and evidence base, one of our aims as an organisation is to influence international, national and local policies and practices impacting on children, adults and families separated by international borders, and thus contribute to social reform to minimise and/or prevent social/legal/personal problems linked to migration or intercountry mobility.
As well as doing advocacy work with UK practitioners and policymakers, and publishing good practice guidelines, CFAB partners with a number of organisations for national and international campaigns.
The Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children
CRIN:The Future of Children’s Rights – in whose hands?
Children's Rights and the UNCRC
CFAB Private Fostering Campaign
Private fostering is when a child under the age of 16 (under 18 if disabled) is cared for by someone who is not their parent or a 'close relative'. This is a private arrangement made between a parent and a carer, for 28 days or more. Close relatives are defined as step-parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, uncles or aunts (whether of full blood, half blood or marriage/affinity).
At CFAB, we receive referrals for children who are living in such arrangements and need to return home, either because they have suffered abuse or their private fostering arrangement has broken down.
We are concerned that the present regulations do not adequately address the issue of children privately fostered across international borders. These children are potentially
very vulnerable, they may have been trafficked and have no understanding of the laws and systems in the UK, or where to go for help.
CFAB has recently begun an awareness raising campaign, supported by many partners to improve the arrangements for children from overseas who are living with somebody
else here in the UK.
CFAB held a Private Fostering Symposium opened by Lord Laming on 28th October 2010 at Friends House, London for all parties interested in finding a workable alternative to the current private fostering regulations. We will campaign to ensure that the Government will take the necessary steps to safeguard this vulnerable group of children.
The recommendations from the day's discussion will be published shortly.
To watch CFAB on Newsnight discussing Private Fostering please click on the links below
Monday Newsnight
Tuesday Newsnight
The Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children
These Guidelines are intended to enhance the implementation of the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child, in matters of protection and the well-being of children who are in need of alternative care. It focuses on two main aspects:
- Ensure that children do not find themselves placed in alternative care unnecessarily; and
- that, where out-of-home care is provided, it is provided in appropriate conditions and of a type that responds to the child's rights, needs and best interests.
The process for the Guidelines was initiated in 2005, when the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child held a day of general discussion on children without parental care. The Committee recommended the establishment of an expert meeting to prepare a set of international standards for the protection and alternative care of children without parental care for the UN General Assembly. As part of its recommendations, the Committee outlined the scope and objectives of these guidelines and standards.
Following this discussion day and its final recommendations, UNICEF and ISS initiated a consultation process and drafted a proposal for the guidelines. ISS as the co-convenor of the NGO Working Group on Children without Parental Care continues to be a major actor in this advocacy process supporting the final adoption of the draft Guidelines. One of the major tasks of the NGO Working Group is to encourage lobbying efforts to promote the final adoption of the Guidelines. Click here to read the latest news on this issue.
CRIN: The future of children's rights - in whose hands?
CFAB joins CRIN in this campaign aiming to stimulate open and transparent appointment processes in order to identify leaders with the appropriate commitment, skills and experience to work effectively for children’s rights.
By signing this petition CFAB is continuing to advocate children’s rights issues. We agree that child rights NGOs and human rights institutions for children should do what we can to encourage and influence positive changes in the appointment processes for key child rights positions
For more information, and to take action, please visit the campaign pages at CRIN
To read about this issue in the news click here
Children's Rights and the UNCRC
The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) is the most widely ratified international human rights treaty in history, and is is central to our work protecting children across borders, directing how we support vulnerable children in international situations.
We raise awareness of children’s rights among professionals and advocate that these are taken into consideration when making plans or decisions for children, as well as campaigning for changes in UK policy to best protect the rights of all children. On an international level, ISS is active in developing international laws and standards on the protection of children and families and their rights, and in implementing them throughout
the world. To read our guide to the UNCRC click here
This year CFAB is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the signing of the UNCRC in 1989. For information about how others around the globe will be celebrating this milestone please click here.
Eurochild
Eurochild is an international network of organisations and individuals working in and across Europe aiming to improve the quality of life of children and young people. It organises meetings and conferences to facilitate debate, exchange knowledge and experience and circulate information on specific aspects of child poverty and social exclusion.
CFAB joined Eurochild network in March 2009 with the aim of developing partnerships and sharing information on policies and good practice between member organisations that promote the rights and welfare of children and young people across Europe.
For more information about Eurochild, please click here
Somebody Else's Child: Private Fostering Campaign
This national campaign aims to raise awareness about private fostering, as well as to highlight the vulnerability of children who may be in private fostering arrangements. It hopes to spark interest in private fostering and to ultimately increase the notification levels of private fostering arrangements to local councils.
As part of the campaign, CFAB's national advice and information line is available to answer questions about private fostering. This is a confidential service.
Read about CFAB's work with Privately Fostered Children or visit the National Private Fostering Campaign website.
Stop the Traffik
STOP THE TRAFFIK is a global movement working to combat the fastest growing global crime, people trafficking.
In March 09 CFAB joined STOP THE TRAFFIK global coalition. Through our advice line and training sessions we spread the message amongst professionals and individuals and raise awareness and understanding of trafficking. We too believe that “when people act things change”
Three Small Steps
CFAB joins ECPAT and World Vision in this campaign urging the UK Government to give equal rights to trafficked children. The campaign calls on the Government to undertake 'Three Small Steps':
Step One: Sign & Ratify the Council of Europe Convention on Trafficking
Step Two: Remove the UK Reservation to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
Step Three: Appoint an independent, national Child Trafficking ‘Watchdog’
The campaign has been a resounding success with high-level public engagement and government interaction, and so far both Steps One and Two have been achieved.
In 2010 CFAB took action to support the ECPAT UK campaign to ensure provision of safe accommodation for child victims of trafficking. Children who have been trafficked into the UK are being placed in accommodation that fails to provide for their needs as child victims who have suffered tremendous physical, sexual and/or psychological abuse. Due to limited specialist care and a lack of training on and awareness of the issue of trafficking, the experiences and needs of these children are not recognised or dealt with appropriately through the care that they currently receive.
CFAB has written to the Secretary of State for Children calling on him for these safe provisions. To read the letter please click here
For more information, and to take action, please visit the campaign pages at ECPAT.