Cross-border case management (CBCM) refers to a specific component of broader case management for children at risk who are asylum-seekers, refugees, including stateless refugee children at risk, other children with international protection needs, and refugee children who have returned to their country of origin or previous country of asylum, and their families who move across multiple international borders. The term cross-border case management is used when the case management process requires the identification and registration of the child, safe and secure cross-border information sharing, and coordinated action among child protection authorities and relevant organizations across one or more jurisdictions.
This programmatic guidance offers practitioners recommendations for implementing cross-border case management (CBCM) for children on the move with the aim of ensuring a continuum of protection, identifying and implementing durable solutions, in line with international refugee protection standards and the best interests of the child. Where relevant, appropriate, safe and in each child’s best interests, the guidance aims to support engagement with national authorities, who are duty-bearers under international law, in providing appropriate cross-border child case management services, addressing children’s specific needs, vulnerabilities and risks, within broader child protection systems. This guidance highlights the importance of meeting established quality standards and ensuring the rights of children on the move are upheld with respect to international protection.
