ISS Switzerland receives requests from Switzerland and abroad concerning the protection of children and adults in cross-border situations.
After an initial assessment and brief counselling, ISS Switzerland offers intervention abroad as well as social and legal counselling. This requires a network partner in the country concerned and the ability to intervene in the specific situation..
ISS Switzerland can assist and intervene in social assessments of children, families and adults, in cases of international child abduction, in searches for origins and persons, in the procurement of documents, in assesments and enquiries abroad in the context of family reunification or humanitarian visa procedures, as well as in questions of parental rights and obligations. In cases of conflict, ISS Switzerland helps to find out-of-court solutions in the interests of those concerned and provides legal advice.
ISS Switzerland assesses its options for intervention and the feasibility of an intervention. It then coordinates its intervention with its partners in Switzerland and abroad. In Switzerland, these are the child and adult protection authorities (KESB), social services, cantonal and federal central authorities under the Hague Conventions or legal guardians. Abroad, it is the partners of the global ISS network, local authorities or the families concerned.
Interventions consist of social and legal support based on the transnational and interdisciplinary expertise of ISS Switzerland through telephone calls, e-mails and consultations in our offices in Geneva and Zurich. If needed, an intervention can lead to mediation betweend the parties in the longer term.
The cost of the services provided by ISS Switzerland is based on the cantonal rates for private individuals and public authorities. Our staff will be happy to provide you with detailed information for your canton.
More information on our services for children and teenagers
More information on our services for parents, couples and families
More information on our services for adults and migrants