AFRUCA SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN


Help us to protect more children in our community

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.

Our
Services

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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.

    Find out more

  • Healing and Reconciliation Service for Children at Risk or Returning Home From Foster Care

    We provide short-term psychotherapy for children in the child protection system or those returning home from foster care and their families. We aim to help rebuild the family bond, rebuild trust and support children to heal from their experiences

    Read more and download referral form
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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

  • 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

    Find out more

  • 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

    Find out more

  • 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

Prompted by the deaths of a number of newly arrived child ren 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.

Debbie Ariyo OBE - Founder and CEO

AFRUCA Retreat Office Closure: 8-10 July 2025

Date: Tuesday 8th to Thursday 10th July 2025

Our Trustees and Staff will be on our yearly retreat from 8 to 10 July 2025

Please note that our London and Manchester offices will be closed on these dates. 

We will resume work on Friday 11 July 2025

BASNET BME Modern Slavery Knowledge Mobilisation Conference

Date: Wednesday, 24th June 2025

Time: 9am - 4:300pm

Venue: The British Academy, 10-11 Carlton House Terrace London SW1Y 5AH

We are excited to host our network BASNET - The UK BME Antislavery Network Modern Slavery Knowledge Mobilisation Conference on Tuesday 24 June 2025 in Central London.

This special event will showcase the outcomes of our latest research partnerships with BASNET members who are Black and Ethnic Minority-led organisations and Lived Experience Experts. It is being delivered in partnership with the British Academy Early Career Researcher Network.

Over the past six months, members of our Network and Lived Experience Expert Panel have worked with academic research mentors through our Research Mentorship Programme. Together, they have explored key Equality, Diversity and Inclusion issues in Modern Slavery, producing bold, grassroots-led research that challenges assumptions and strengthens sector-wide understanding of the issues.

At the conference, we will:

  • Share findings from these innovative collaborations

  • Facilitate discussions among peers, practitioners, and experts on next steps

  • Highlight the value of community-driven research

Join us as we explore the power of participatory research and how the insights can create real change in addressing modern slavery.

Register to attend here

For enquiries, contact Naeema Ahmed, BASNET Senior Network Manager here

AFRUCA Cultural Influences and Child Safeguarding Study Group

Date: Thursday 26 June 2025

Time: 10am to 4:00pm

Venue: AFRUCA Head Office, Hackney

Join us at AFRUCA Safeguarding Children for our third, exclusive, full-day study group event, ''Addressing Cultural and Religious Influences in Safeguarding Children in Black and Ethnic communities." This specialist training event is tailored towards professionals who work with children and young people.

This training course is delivered in-person in Hackney, London on 26 June and offers a unique opportunity to explore the intersectionality of culture, religion, and safeguarding practices.

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 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.

Visit our Eventbrite Channel To Read More and Register to Attend

Meet Our Network - The Manchester Network on Serious Violence and Child Exploitation

Date of Next Meeting: Friday 27 June 2025

Time: 12pm to 2:30pm

Venue: Central Manchester

The Manchester Network on Serious Violence and Child Exploitation is a project of AFRUCA Safeguarding Children funded by Manchester City Council. Our Network works to strengthen the voices of marginalised communities in Manchester affected by serious violence and child exploitation. We serve as a platform bringing together affected communities and statutory agencies to strengthen local responses to youth violence and child exploitation across the city.

Our bi-monthly meetings serve as a forum to deliberate on key local and national matters of interest and engage policy-makers to explore solutions to ongoing issues. At our recent meeting, we deliberated on the proposed Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE) and Cuckooing Offences outlined in the upcoming 2025 Policing Bill. We have written to the Home Office to share our concerns about the Bill and offered some recommendations to help strengthen provisions in the proposed legislation.

The Manchester Network on Serious Violence and Child Exploitation is one of our “Networks of Influence” - our strategic alliances at AFRUCA to help strengthen our work in the community.

We welcome new members to our Network. For further information, email us here

AFRUCA Free Chess Classes for Children in Hackney

- Are you aged 12 to 17 years? 

- Do you live or go to school in the Hackney area? 

- Would you like to learn chess or improve your chess skills with a qualified chess instructor? 

If so, apply to participate in the AFRUCA free eight week After School Chess Programme. 

Date: Every Wednesday at AFRUCA Office on Mare Street (Opposite Hackney Empire)

Time: 3:30pm-5pm

Free Refreshments will be provide

This programme is part of our efforts at AFRUCA to keep children safe and off the streets from harm.

For more information and how to register: Contact EK or Samson: tel: 0207-704-2261 or email info@afruca.org

AFRUCA Child Protection Service: Positive Parenting Programme

The AFRUCA Child Protection and Family Support Service is a paid service working nationally with Black, Asian and ethnic families open to local authority children’s social service. Our team of qualified social workers offer early intervention support, provide culturally focused specialist assessments and positive parenting training. We engage in direct work on child protection and care proceedings. We also support family re-integration processes and provide advice to social workers who might need help to address on-going cases. Each year, our service supports approximately 100 families referred to us by various local authorities nation-wide. Our aim is always to help achieve a positive outcome for the birth family and a happier and safer home environment for children.

We take referrals from England, Wales and Scotland.

Please read more about our service and download our referral form

Safeguarding and Child Protection Training for Faith Leaders and Workers in Hackney

There is no hard to reach community. Rather, agencies seeking to engage with faith and community groups should put in the efforts to build trust and engagement with them. We at AFRUCA are very proud to have delivered three successful sessions on “Safeguarding and Child Protection Training for Faith Leaders and Workers in Hackney” in November 2024, January and February 2025. We worked hard to engage over 80 delegates from over 20 Faith groups, ensuring very good participation and attendance at the sessions. Great opportunity to share learning on keeping children safe and enhancing protection in faith groups. Many thanks to City and Hackney Safeguarding Children Partnership for funding this programme. We look forward to phase two - continuing our engagement with the faith groups in various ways.

Meet our Network - BASNET The UK BME Anti-Slavery Network

BASNET - The UK BME Anti-Slavery Network is a project of AFRUCA Safeguarding Children. BASNET is very active in the UK Modern Slavery space as a platofrm to bridge the gap in race equality diversity and inclusion in modern slavery policy and practice. BASNET is engaged in various activities and programmes to help support its members, policy-makers, service providers and survivors of modern slavery.

BASNET is one of our “Networks of Influence” - our strategic alliances at AFRUCA to help strengthen our work in the community.

Read more about BASNET on the project website here

AFRUCA Training Brochure For Agencies Working With Black and Ethnic Children and Families 2024-2025

Over the past twenty four years, AFRUCA Safeguarding Children has gained a wealth of knowledge and experience delivering specialist training courses aimed at enhancing the knowledge, skills and confidence of practitioners working with children and their families from diverse backgrounds. We work with agencies nation-wide and across Europe to design relevant training courses which are delivered inhouse - face to face or remotely. Over 8,000 professionals have participated in our range of training courses over the past 10 years.

Click to read more and download our training brochure

AFRUCA News: March 2025 Activities

AFRUCA’s Phoenix Project provides safety, safe spaces and safe activities for Girls and Young Women at Risk of Exploitation and Gang Violence across Manchester. We had such a wonderful session on Saturday 22 March 2025 at our roller skating and tailored music event held at Lostock High School, Stretford

Many thanks to Manchester City Council for funding our work with young women and girls over the past two years as we explore new opportunities to expand our project to London.

The Guide: Understanding Child Protection In The UK

The "Guide" covers a range of subjects to support parents to strengthen their parenting knowledge and skills, identify risks of harm inside and outside the home and ultimately improve protection and safety for their children.

Read more

Community Engagement and Education are at the heart of our work at AFRUCA to prevent child abuse, trafficking, exploitation and modern slavery.

Contact us to arrange a session delivered by our staff and volunteer Children’s Champions for your agency, church, mosque, school or community group.

Child Protection Community Engagement and Education

What People Say About AFRUCA

  • "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

Ongoing

Activities

Find out more about our activities

AFRUCA Public Facing Events Calendar

AFRUCA’s 20th Anniversary Documentary Video

Our
People

  • Debbie

    CEO & Founder

    London Head Office

  • James

    Head of Finance and Administration

    London Head Office

  • Samson

    Finance and Operations Officer

    London Head Office

  • Jamila

    Senior Social Worker

    London Head Office

  • Daniella

    Social Worker

    London Head Office

  • EK

    Child Protection Community Engagement Lead

    London Head Office

  • Helen

    Training And Service Administrative Officer

    (Maternity Leave)

    London Head Office

  • Fleur

    BASNET Policy and Research Officer

    (Maternity Leave)

    London Head Office

  • Thomas

    Policy and Research Officer (Maternity Cover)

    London Head Office

  • Courtney

    Intern

    London Head Office

  • Independent Children and Families Psychotherapists

    London Head Office

  • Deborah

    Social Work Team Leader

    Manchester Centre

  • Monique

    Social Worker

    Manchester Centre

  • Simon

    Social Worker

    Manchester Centre

  • Lauretta

    Social Worker

    Manchester Centre

  • Naeema

    BASNET Senior Network Manager

    Manchester Centre

  • Aryan

    BASNET Network Development Offficer

    Manchester Centre

  • Rama

    Child Exploitation Family Intervention Worker

    Manchester Centre

  • Stephen

    Youth Intervention Worker - Young Men and Boys

    Manchester Centre

  • Vacant

    Youth Intervention Worker - Young Women and Girls

    Manchester Centre

  • Magdalene

    Trustee

  • Omolola

    Trustee

  • Sudhir

    Chair of the Board

  • Mama Sylla

    Trustee

  • Alimatu

    Trustee

Our Current and Recent Funders