The International Foster Care Organisation (IFCO) was founded in 1981 based on the belief that all children in Foster Care deserve a family.
Our philosophy reflects the values of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) which states that all children have the right to grow up in a family environment. This vision remains at the heart of everything we work to achieve.
Promoting family based care
It is our belief that, whenever possible, children should grow up with their own parents or extended family.
When this is not possible, a substitute family based solution should always prevail over other out of home forms of care for children. We believe that Foster Care should be child and family focused and that diversity should be respected and valued.
Through our network of Foster Care professionals, service providers and government and non-government bodies, we hope to achieve this vision across the globe.
Working with partners
IFCO is not involved in international adoption or fostering. Instead we work with children, young people, foster carers, birth families, social workers, academics, researchers, volunteers, media, policy makers and others to improve and promote Foster Care globally.
We seek to promote Foster Care in partnership with professionals by raising standards of service provision and training and by holding conferences to encourage the sharing of information and best practices across the world.
To find out more about our philosophy call IFCO today on +44 (0)208 133 0208 or email us at ifco@ifco.info.