Children and Families International Foundation

Children and Families International Foundation's (CFIF) aims are to improve the lives of vulnerable families and communities through collaboration with local social workers and organisations. CFIF was established in 2007 in response to requests from government and academics in Malawi for support in the development social work education and the professionalisation of social work across the country. Our primary project, Supporting Social Work in Malawi (SSWIM) works through a core group of social work academics and practitioners across the UK engaging with colleagues in Malawi, offering support and spending time in Malawi annually. We provide training, consultation, mentoring and sharing of skills and expertise. Our partners include the University of Malawi, the Association of Social Workers in Malawi, the Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare.

Over the past almost 20 years of engagement with colleagues in Malawi we have seen the establishment of a degree level course in Social Work at the University of Malawi, the establishment of the Association of Social Workers in Malawi, the training of many social workers as Practice Educators, and Practice Educator trainers. We have developed working relationships and brokered funding to several organisations including Children's Corners. Through co-delivery of presentations at the International Federation of Social Work (Africa) we have helped to highlight to an international audience the developments in social work education and practice in Malawi.