Partners

Photo: Steering Group, Geneva 2016

Better Care Network

The Better Care Network (BCN) is recognized as the preeminent information hub and global convener to influence action for children without adequate family care. BCN is an interagency initiative that facilitates global information exchange and collaboration among the growing number of organizations, governments, community groups, and individuals working to strengthen children’s care. BCN advocates for technically sound policy and programmatic action on global, regional, and national levels. The BCN website (www.bettercarenetwork.org) is the largest online collection of key research, tools, events and other documentation on issues related to strengthening family care and alternative care, designed to support academics, policymakers and practitioners alike. Its bi-monthly newsletter highlights recent research, practice, tools and the latest events and forthcoming opportunities. For more information send us a message at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

CELCIS

The Centre for Excellence for Looked after Children in Scotland (CELCIS) is comprised of a team of professionals in child protection and alternative care based in the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland. CELCIS is a non-governmental agency that works across Scotland and internationally, supporting policy and practice for those who work with and on behalf of children at risk of losing parental care, are in alternative care, and those who have left care. Being based in this University means the CELCIS team also has access to the infrastructure of a large teaching institution, including colleagues in the School of Education and School of Social Work & Social Policy. https://www.celcis.org/

FICE International

FICE International (International Federation of Educative Communities) was founded in 1948 under the patronage of UNESCO with a vision to create a global network with an aim to support actions and all those working with children and young people in out-of-home care, children at risk and children with special needs. Based on the Convention on the Rights of the Child, all the activities of FICE International respect the personality, interests and needs of the child or the young person. FICE maintains contacts with UNESCO, UNICEF, Council of Europe and ECOSOC. It is also a member of Child Rights Connect, as well as of ENSACT. FICE national sections are present in more than 30 countries around the globe. Their work focuses on conducting scientific studies and research; organizing training courses and seminars aimed to foster continuous education of child care professionals; as well as on promoting the exchange of knowledge, experience and best practices between all relevant stakeholders at national, regional and international level. www.ficeinter.net

Hope and Homes for Children

Hope and Homes for Children is a global leader in child protection system reform and the transition from institutional care to family and community based care. HHC’s model of change is recognised as best practice by the World Health Organisation, UNICEF and national partners. For over 20 years we have helped transform child protection systems through pioneering deinstitutionalisation, working directly with children, parents and carers, helping to strengthen the capacity of thenational social workforce and supporting advocacy efforts in 25 countries. www.hopeandhomes.org

International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW)

The IFSW is a global organisation striving for social justice, human rights and social development through the promotion of social work, best practice models and the facilitation of international cooperation. IFSW supports its 116 country members by providing a global voice for the profession. It has been granted Special Consultative Status by the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations. www.ifsw.org or contact our representative Pascal Rudin on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

International Social Service

International Social Service (ISS) is an international NGO founded in 1924 assisting children and families confronted with complex social problems as a result of migration. Thanks to its presence in more than 120 countries, ISS is a global actor promoting child protection and welfare. In addition to its work on the ground, ISS undertakes training projects, awareness raising and advocacy work in an effort to better respect children's rights. ISS supports and helps approximately 75,000 families in the world each year. ISS has a dedicated research division to alternative care and adoption, based at the General Secretariat referred to as the International Reference Centre for Children Deprived of their Families. http://www.iss-ssi.org/index.php/en/ or contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

RELAF

RELAF is a non-governmental organization working to ensure that all children currently living in orphanages, with some of their rights denied, are able to grow with a family that provides them with the love, care, and stability they need. We promote and support all efforts by governments and NGOs aimed at fulfilling the right to family life of every child and adolescent in Latin America & Caribbean. RELAF works towards the deinstitutionalization of child care, the promotion of foster care, as well as the prevention of separation of children and adolescents from their families and communities. http://www.relaf.org/index_engl.html

Save the Children

Save the Children’s child protection programming focuses on direct interventions and building child protection systems to protect children from abuse, neglect, violence and exploitation in development and humanitarian contexts in 120 countries. Our focus on alternative care includes: working with governments on legal reform, direct response including training and support to social workers as well as family tracing and reunification, and preventing institutionalisation. Our programming includes working with children on the move. Globally, we co-lead the Children without Appropriate Parental Care Working Group as well as co-leading the development of the Tracking Tool and the Better Volunteering Better Care Initiative focused on encouraging ethical alternatives to volunteering in child care institutions. For more information This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and for resources, see: http://resourcecentre.savethechildren.se/our-thematic-areas/appropriate-care

SOS Children’s Villages

SOS Children’s Villages is a non-governmental and non-denominational child-focused organisation that provides direct services in the areas of care, education and health for children at risk of losing, or who have already lost, parental care. The organisation also builds the capacity of the children’s caregivers, their families and communities to provide quality care. Finally, SOS Children’s Villages also advocates for the rights of children without parental care. Founded in 1949, it operates in the spirit of the UN CRC and the Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children in over 130 countries. https://www.sos-childrensvillages.org/

UNICEF

Set up by the United Nations 70 years ago, in December 1946, to provide food, clothing and health care to the children of Europe who faced famine and disease following World War II, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) now works in 190 countries and territories to promote the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything the organization does. Together with our partners, as UNICEF we work to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere. http://www.unicef.org/