AFRUCA
SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN


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With offices in London and Manchester, we work in UK Black and Ethnic communities to protect and safeguard children from abuse, modern slavery and exploitation. We tackle cultural and religious practices that harm children.

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Our Services

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    Child Protection and Family Support Service

    Our multi - disciplinary team of experienced and qualified social workers provide a culturally tailored consultation service for child protection professionals and, Child Protection assessment, positive parenting training and support services for parents in the UK Child Protection system. We take referrals from local authorities and other agencies across the UK.

    Read More and Download Referral Form
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    Child Exploitation and Serious Violence Programme

    AFRUCA delivers a holistic menu of services to support children, young people and families in Black and ethnic communities at risk of or affected by child exploitation and serious violence. Our prevention and early intervention work includes provision of 1-2-1 support for parents of children at risk and providing mentoring, practical support and learning activities for young people.

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  • AFRUCA Specialist Training Programme For Professionals

    We deliver a range of specialist training programmes for agencies and their staff working with Black and Ethnic children and families and those who provide services to meet their needs. We tailor make bespoke courses to meet organisational needs and priorities. Our training sessions are deiivered face-to-face or virtually

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  • AFRUCA's Networks of Influence

    Our “Networks of Influence” aim to strengthen the voices of marginalised communities across the country affected by modern slavery, child protection and child exploitation. We want to create opportunities for grass-root collaborative and partnership approaches to tackle issues affecting our communities.

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    Modern Slavery Programme

    AFRUCA works to address modern slavery and exploitation experienced by children and young people trafficked into the UK. We partner with other agencies to provide culturally appropriate support and care to meet their needs.

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  • Community Volunteering Programme

    AFRUCA employs a volunteer-led approach to address many of the issues that affect children in Black and ethnic community across England. The idea is to create a ripple effect of change through peer-to-peer learning and active citizenship. We have devised a range of Community Champions initiatives focusing on a range of issues, including Modern Slavery, Child Protection and Female Genital Mutilation

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  • Community Education Programme

    AFRUCA works in partnership with a range of community and faith based organisations to improve knowledge of child safeguarding and how to keep children safe from abuse and harm.

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  • Schools Education Programme

    AFRUCA works with schools, colleges and alternative education provisions across the country to deliver training courses to meet the needs of pupils, staff and parents. We work with schools to raise awareness about different forms of intra and extra-familial harm towards children.

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We have been safeguarding children since 2001

Debbie Ariyo OBE - Founder and CEO

Prompted by the deaths of a number of newly arrived children in the UK, Debbie Ariyo, a former Civil Servant, founded AFRUCA in 2001 to address child safeguarding and child trafficking issues in African diaspora communities and provide services to help support children and families and rehabilitate victims.

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What People Say About AFRUCA

  • "As one of the young people who previously benefited from the invaluable support of AFRUCA, I wish to express my sincere gratitude for the role your organisation played in my development and recovery. The guidance and assistance I received during that period contributed significantly to the person I have become today."

    “R” - survivor of modern slavery and book author

  • "The support I received from AFRUCA had a great impact in my life. I thank God I'm here today because it was a life changing experience."

    Person With Lived Experience of Modern Slavery, AFRUCA Child Trafficking Support Programme

  • Although over 50% of the families Manchester City Council Early Help support are from the global majority, Early Help worry there are communities they may not reach which is where support from AFRUCA is invaluable. AFRUCA have been working closely with Early Help to ensure the work they do with children and families is aligned with the Supporting Families Outcomes Framework via the whole family assessments and plans they use in their work with families to demonstrate impact.

    Team Leader: Early Help, Complex Safeguarding and Inclusion Team, Manchester City Council.

  • “I aIways knew I was good at a lot of things but because I never had anyone to direct me and keep pushing me, I just easily give up. With you on my case regularly, I feel like I can do a lot more, I really appreciate you”

    Young person who received one-to-one support and mentoring from our REVIVE project

  • “Engaging with the AFRUCA Therapy Service was a very positive experience. We both really appreciate how the therapist approached things from a positive perspective. After going through court and completing the AFRUCA parenting work, it came at the right time. The sessions provided me with the space to reflect on everything that had happened and how to move forward.”

    Parents who received therapeutic support from AFRUCA's Healing and Reconciliation Service

  • "By engaging with AFRUCA’s resources and support services, I have gained valuable knowledge and skills to enhance my parenting practices, support my children’s emotional well-being, and create a safe and nurturing environment for my family. I remember, I am not alone in this journey, and seeking support and guidance is a positive step towards being the best parent I can be."

    Parent referred by a Local Authority to AFRUCA for positive parenting intervention due to concerns around use of physical chastisement

  • "I joined AFRUCA in 2015 and became a champion after a fantastic training. AFRUCA has really informed my knowledge in the area of safeguarding especially in the African community. Being a volunteer has given me the opportunity to reach out to many people who would have become victims due to lack of knowledge. I feel good by giving my time, energy and skills to the community for a good cause of breaking barriers. It is said that prevention is better than cure. AFRUCA has done and is still doing a lot of preventive work to ensure children are brought up in a safe and caring home by their own parents. I am proud to be part of the good cause."

    Dupe Olaniyi, AFRUCA Volunteer Children’s Champion

  • “AFRUCA came into the life of our church at a time when it was growing with newly arrived immigrants. What they taught us has formed the building blocks of our family life teachings. Their service has now become an annual event because new people flow through churches. In our view, all churches must have access to annual safeguarding training like that provided by AFRUCA.”

    Pastor Femi Titilayo

    Christ Apostolic Church, Middlesborough

  • "My experience with AFRUCA was wonderful! It couldn’t have been any better. The social worker exercised a high level of empathetic display therefore, giving room to a proper in-depth understanding and assimilation of the parenting lessons. Well-done her!’’

    Parent who took part in our Child Protection and Family Support Service

  • "Your County Lines programme is very much needed for the young people. Crazy to think County Lines and Serious Youth violence is so big in today’s society."

    Parent participating in AFRUCA Coffee Morning Sessions, Manchester

  • "This training should be taught to you as soon as you come into the UK. I wish that I had known all of this long before I needed it"

    Parent who undertook AFRUCA’s Child Protection Parenting Programme

  • “I have read through the assessment, and it was comprehensively written, as you considered the cultural interpretation of some of the concerns. I was impressed with the work done with the family and the outcome was positive, as a result, the children are no longer on the Child Protection Plan. I was also pleased how you made yourself available at meetings and contributed to assessing the progress of Child Protection and monitoring the risk to the children”.

    Social Worker, Kingston/Achieving for Children who commissioned AFRUCA Child Protection and Family Support Service

  • "AFRUCA saved my life. I don't know what I would have done without them. They helped me get my family back to which I am eternally grateful"

    Parent who undertook AFRUCA’s Child Protection Parenting Programme

  • "I think everybody should learn what I have been taught today in the Champions training. It's good to hear from people who look like me and understand"

    Participant who took part in AFRUCA’s Child Protection Community Education Programme

  • “The knowledge and delivery of this training gave me better skills in parenting my children and the children around me.”

    Parent who participated in AFRUCA’s Child Protection Community Education Programme

  • “I would like to say I enjoyed the lessons throughout these ten weeks. The first one I didn’t know what to expect, and ever since I’ve had these lesson every single Saturday, it has honestly change my life. I’ve learnt a lot of codes that I wouldn’t even know if I continued with my normal route. To be honest I am just really happy that I’m even in these coding sessions

    Young participant on the AFRUCA Coding Programme to Prevent County Lines Trafficking

  • "Working for AFRUCA has been an incredible experience. Everyone in the office is extremely passionate about their work, kind to everyone, and extremely supportive. While working for AFRUCA, I was able to learn how non-profits operate and the reality of how prevalent modern day slavery and human trafficking is in the UK. I’ve gotten to work on projects with everyone on the team where I’ve been able to advance my graphic design, technology, and research skills. I’ve loved working here and am so grateful to have interned with the London team."

    Danielle Worthalter, Intern from the USA

  • "I think we definitely got people thinking and talking more about modern day slavery. I think it was also important for people to know the difference between cultural sensitivity and ignorance e.g. knowing that just because people come from a very different cultural background, it does not always defend their behaviour, and they could in fact be practicing modern day slavery. I like to think we helped people be more confident in speaking out when they see something suspicious or harmful in their local environment"

    AFRUCA Volunteer Anti-Slavery Champion, Manchester

  • "AFRUCA awakened my consciousness to issues of Safeguarding Children, provided me with the language, resources, and network of equally trained and passionate champions. AFRUCA does not just train. Its advocacy, investment in strategic research, grassroots and community reach, development of people, ongoing support and provision of relevant resources for champions, children, professionals, and policy-makers, positions it in the Ivy-League of Change Agents in safeguarding children. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve as AFRUCA's Children's Champion over the last 15 years."

    Pastor Dupe Adefala, World Fountain Christian Ministries, Oxford.

    AFRUCA Volunteer Children’s Champion.

  • "Each day brought a new opportunity to learn and grow. AFRUCA's unique approach to internships, treating me as a valued member of the team rather than a temporary addition, allowed me to feel genuinely integrated into the organization's efforts."

    Christy Li, Operations Intern from the USA, AFRUCA London Office

AFRUCA
Marks 25th Anniversary
With Hope for the Future

We at AFRUCA - SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN are so happy to celebrate our 25th anniversary this year 2026. We have a lot of positive memories of all our work and achievements since inception in 2001, propelled by the deaths of children newly arrived in the UK, killed by their carers and others. We have been around to participate and influence a range of government policies, legislation and systemic changes to improve protection and safeguarding of children, improve protection for victims of abuse, modern slavery and human trafficking. Our work has directly and positively impacted tens of thousands of children, young people, their families and their communities. The past few years have been tough for us, just like many other small charities in the UK as a result of gaps in financial support and of course the hostile environment towards migrant and ethnic minority groups. However, we are very delighted to still be around to continue fighting for children for many years to come.

We thank all our friends, supporters, funders, partners and service users for all their contributions to the success of AFRUCA.

If you would like to donate towards our work, please click here

AFRUCA Study Group
on Cultural Influences
and Child Safeguarding

We are delighted to hold our fifth Study Group on Child Safeguarding and Cultural Influences on 10 June 2026 at our office in London as part of the activities to celebrate our 25th anniversary.

Our Study Groups are designed to be close and intimate sessions, affording a few number of participants the opportunity to deep dive into key safeguarding children issues and their intersection with race, religion and culture. They are also spaces for professionals to explore ongoing issues in a safe and secured environment. The ultimate aim is to provide a strong opportunity to deepen participants’ knowledge and understanding of cultural sensitivity in safeguarding to help improve engagement and support for the children in their care.

This event will be held as part of a series of activities to mark our 25th anniversary.

Date: Wednesday 10 June 2026

Location: AFRUCA Head Office, Hackney, London

Cost: £50 per delegate.

Why Attend?

  • Exclusive Access: Limited number of participants per location for a highly interactive and personalised learning experience.

  • Engaging Topics: Delve into critical child protection issues such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), Faith-based Abuse, and the Trafficking and Exploitation of Black children.

  • Practical Insights: Learn through real-world case studies, scenario-based discussions, and expert guidance from AFRUCA trainer.

  • Certificate of Participation: Receive a certificate at the end of the event as a formal acknowledgment of your participation and commitment to safeguarding children.

To register: visit our Eventbrite page here

For enquiries, or if you would prefer to be invoiced, group/team bookings etc, please contact us at info@afruca.org

BASNET 2026 Research Residential Programme

We are excited to hold, alongside our network BASNET - The UK BME Anti-Slavery Network, our Third Research Residential Programme for UK BME Anti-Slavery charity and lived experience leaders.

The BASNET Research Residential programme is a comprehensive and rigorous two-day skills development event, designed to support participants to build their research skills and understand how to develop and refine their own research ideas from scratch. Through structured sessions and collaborative learning, participants will shape their initial concepts into viable research proposals.They will also learn from our expert trainers, including senior academics from Kings College, St Mary’s University, the Modern Slavery Policy & Evidence Centre and STOP THE TRAFFIK, about the ins and outs of the research process, what it takes to lead a successful research project, and how to most effectively translate their insights into fully developed outputs.

Date: 19-21 May 2026

Location: AFRUCA Office, Manchester

Cost: Free for BASNET UK members. We are happy to have a few number of non BASNET members attend for a fee.

For enquiries, please contact Thomas, BASNET Policy and Research Officer at Thomas@afruca.org

AFRUCA Training Event on Safeguarding Children in Faith Settings

We are holding a specialist training event on Improving Safeguarding for Children in BME Faith Settings for faith leaders and workers across London on 27 June 2026 in our London office.

This specialist training event will support participants to enhance their understanding of how culture and religion can impact the safeguarding and protection of children in the UK. We will explore the role of faith leaders and workers in supporting parents/carers to develop improved child protection practices and how faith settings can be “sanctuaries” for children. Ultimately, our event will support participants to gain the skills to help improve child protection practices within their faith organisations.

This event will be held as part of a series of activities to mark our 25th anniversary.

Date: Saturday 27 June 2026

Time: 10am to 3pm

Venue: AFRUCA Office, Hackney

Cost: £20 per delegate. Contact us below for group bookings, direct invoicing or other enquiries

Certificate of Sponsorship Visas for Health and Social Care Workers: Awareness Events on Exploitation and Access to Support

Alongside our partners across Greater Manchester, we are holding a series of community engagement and awareness raising events between February and June 2026 on social care work visas, the risks of exploitation and to explore access to available government support for displaced workers.

Our project is funded by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, co-ordinated by our Network BASNET - The UK BME Anti-Slavery Network and will run till end of June 2026. In February 2026, we held five awareness raising events across Greater Manchester and virtually, attracting over 400 participants and resulting in over 50 requests for additional support and signposting to services.

Please see details of planned April events on the flyer. To attend any of our partners’ events, please email us here

2nd BASNET Modern Slavery Knowledge Mobilisation Conference 2026

We are pleased to hold the second BASNET Knowledge Mobilisation Conference, taking place on Friday 24 April 2026 at The Exchange, St Mary's University, Twickenham. This will be an afternoon dedicated to showcasing the latest research emerging from our network of grassroots members and modern slavery survivors, with support from our academic partners.

Over the past months, members of the BASNET network and survivors of modern slavery have worked alongside academic mentors to examine pressing issues affecting Black and ethnic minority communities in the anti-trafficking sector. Through our ongoing Research & Mentorship Programme, these collaborations have generated community-led research that challenges assumptions, fills knowledge gaps, and centres voices too often marginalised in policy and practice.

Date: 24 April 2026

Location: St Mary’s University, Twickenham

Cost: Free but places are very limited.

What to Expect

At the conference, we will:

  • Present findings from this latest round of research partnerships

  • Facilitate discussion among practitioners, researchers, and advocates

  • Demonstrate the value of participatory, survivor-inclusive approaches

Join us to explore how community-driven research can inform better policy, sharpen practice, and strengthen the collective fight against modern slavery.

For enquiries, please contact basnet@afruca.org

Third BASNET Capacity Building Programme for Anti-Trafficking Innovators

Applications are now open for our third BASNET Capacity Building Programme for Anti-Trafficking Innovators.

BASNET - The UK BME Anti-Slavery Network, a project of AFRUCA Safeguarding Children, is pleased to announce that this year’s Capacity Building programme will be delivered online. This programme is designed for ethnic minority founders and CEOs working across the modern slavery and human trafficking sector, with the aim of strengthening leadership, organisational sustainability, and long-term impact across the sector.

While traditionally delivered in person, moving the programme online enables us to expand access and welcome a greater number of members - particularly newer members - offering an opportunity to experience first-hand the strength, expertise, and impact of the BASNET network.

Please note that completion of the Capacity Building Programme is expected prior to participation in our Research Residential Programme holding in May 2026, as it provides the foundational knowledge and strategic grounding necessary for that next stage of engagement.

Dates: 25–27 March 2026

Location: Online (joining details will be shared with confirmed participants)

Cost: The programme is generously funded and free of charge for all successful applicants.

What to Expect

The BASNET Capacity Building Programme is designed to foster community amongst members and strengthen the strategic, operational, and leadership capacity required to grow and sustain impactful organisations with sessions delivered by sector leading experts.

Topics Covered

Theory of Change and Strategic Planning

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL)

Fundraising, including grant applications

Communicating for Impact

Being an Impactful Anti-Trafficking Innovator

Who Can Apply?

Applicants must be Full Members of BASNET and have demonstrated commitment to the development and growth of the network. Please apply via basnet@afruca.org

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