ISS has produced numerous publications on various issues relating to child and family protection providing information on legislation, practices and challenges as well as critical analyses. The publications are the result of comprehensive research relying on various sources of literature and resources. Numerous experts from the ISS/IRC network have also been consulted and their input represents a significant added value to the works.
These documents are published by ISS General Secretariat or external publishers. Any publication or part of the documents can be freely reproduced with the appropriate acknowledgement.
Permission to translate all or any part of those handbooks should be obtained from ISS.
Documents that can be accessed for free may be downloaded directly as indicated below. Hardcopies of documents, when available, are for sale may be ordered.
Available in:
The ISS Impact Report 2025 presents the main activities and developments of the ISS General Secretariat in 2025, reflecting both the continuity of ISS’s core mission and the transitions currently shaping the organisation and the network. The report is structured around the General Secretariat’s key areas of work including Cross-Border Casework and Network Development, Programme Activities, and Network Collaboration.
Available in:
ISS and ISS West Africa, in collaboration with the child protection authorities of Burkina Faso, have been implementing since 2018 a pilot programme of specialised foster families for children living with disabilities. After six years of implementation, ISS has undertaken a capitalisation process to analyse and document this pilot experience and identify the main lessons learned, with a view to strengthening and potentially scaling up the project at a national level.
Available in:
In 2024, intercountry adoption (ICA) continued its gradual decline, while appearing to approach stagnation. At the same time, ICA systems continued to evolve, shaped by both changing child protection priorities, State-led investigations into past adoption practices, and ongoing reforms of ICA systems. This article analyses ICA trends for 2024, comparing them with data from previous years, examining the profile of children, and situating these developments within broader child protection and reform dynamics.
Available in:
Available in:
Through three comparative case studies, this ISS policy brief examines how climate both increases the risk of children losing parental care and impacts children already without parental care. Building on these insights and ISS’s longstanding experience in child protection, this brief proposes recommendations to prevent family separation in climate-related contexts and to meet the protection needs of children already deprived of parental care. These recommendations target policy-makers in climate and child protection sectors, as well as social workers and frontline practitioners working directly with these children locally.
Available in:
This guidance document aims to support current care reform efforts in Côte d’Ivoire, taking into account the specific needs of children with disabilities without parental care. Developed in a participatory process involving a panel of national stakeholders, it is intended for Ivorian decision-makers and all key actors to ensure that family reintegration and foster care become a reality for these children.
Available in:
In 2023, intercountry adoption (ICA) stood at a crossroads, shaped by both evolving child protection priorities and a wave of State-led investigations into past adoption practices. This article seeks to provide an analysis of intercountry adoption trends for 2023, comparing them with data from previous years, examining the profile of adopted children, and situating these developments within broader child protection and reform dynamics.
Available in:
Legal empowerment is an approach to access to justice that views individuals as capable of making decisions and resolving conflicts, thereby reinforcing the exercise of personal freedoms. To implement legal empowerment for children, it is essential to adopt an approach that trusts their capacity to make decisions when given the right tools. This means constantly training staff so they can assist effectively and ensure children can evaluate the information they receive — rather than simply following instructions.
Available in:
This article offers a summary of recent research by the ISS/IRC team on the right of adoptees and birth siblings to their origins. While much attention has focused on birth parents, this dimension remains underexplored. Drawing from an analysis of over 30 national frameworks, the article outlines key findings and highlights key recommendations.
Available in:
The disclosure of systematic shortcomings of past intercountry adoption practices around the globe requires critical and innovative approaches. It is therefore interesting to have a closer look into the different approaches taken by States around the globe in preventing and addressing issues of irregular and illegal ICA is encouraged. This article focuses on Denmark and its ongoing efforts to address allegations of irregularity.
Available in:
Dr. Giovanna Ricciardi and Jeannette Wöllenstein-Tripathi recently contributed to the Book Children in Migration and International Family Law: The Child’s Best Interests Principle at the Interface of Migration Law and Family Law, with an article focusing on the protection of children’s rights in cross-border kafalah placements. The present article provides an executive summary of its key messages.
Available in:
The ISS Impact Report 2023–2024 covers two years of social impact by the International Social Service, protecting children and families across borders since 1924. This report underlines ISS activities in Cross-Border Social Casework, Network Development and Training, Advocacy and Alternative Care. It also highlights the achievements of the ISS International Reference Center for the rights of children deprived of their family. Finally, our two-year report has a special focus on our centennial celebrations and activities, and the ISS International Conference ‘Throughout time, across borders’ organised during the week of 7th of October 2024.
Available in:
Discover the remarkable 100-year journey of the International Social Service (ISS) in this commemorative book. Explore ISS’s legacy in uniting families, advancing children’s rights, and promoting social justice worldwide. This book honours ISS’s resilience and ongoing impact in cross-border social work and child protection.
Available in:
ISS recently celebrated its centennial, marking a century of dedication to protecting children and reuniting families across borders. In this edition of the ISS/IRC newsletter, we pay tribute to the remarkable journey and collective efforts that have shaped ISS legacy.
Available in:
The main objective of this assessment and report is to obtain knowledge about children with disabilities deprived of or separated from their families, or at risk of being so, and the alternative care arrangements available to these children in the Philippines. Furthermore, whether there is scope for any improvements to alternative care measures in the Philippines, in line with international standards.
Available in:
This study was carried out in Côte d’Ivoire in 2023 among families of disabled children who had decided to separate from their child, and among professionals in various care structures. This report attempts to identify the circumstances and causes of separation, as well as the types of placements preferred. The study also seeks to analyse current practices for preventing separation and opportunities for family reintegration.
Available in:
This document is aimed at professionals involved in the care and support of children with disabilities and their families. It is also a tool for decision-makers and other players in the intervention chain who are likely to undertake major reforms at various levels in the social action, education, health, employment, social protection and justice sectors.
Available in:
ISS/IRC believes it is crucial to engage on further dialogue on the intersection between climate change, adoption, and the application of the principle of subsidiarity.
Available in:
In this interview, Caroline Bouchet, Head of the Information and Support Department at the Agence française de l’adoption (the accredited public adoption body in France), presents the reverse flow programme that has been in place at the agency for over a decade, its challenges and its benefits.
Available in:
Earlier this year, Family For Every Child launched a new publication, How to support Kinship Care – Lessons Learnt from around the word. ISS warmly welcomes this new tool, for which it has had the privilege to provide input, thanks to the ground expertise of its global network.
