About Us
Welcome to African and Minority Families Support Services Community Interest Company (AFRIFASS CIC), where we stand as a beacon of support and empowerment for African and minority families navigating the complexities of cultural transitions in the United Kingdom. In recent years, a substantial influx of families from various parts of Europe, Africa, and Asia has shaped the cultural landscape in the UK. However, the resulting cultural shock, coupled with differing expectations and safeguarding policies, has led to an alarming over-representation of black and ethnic minority children within the Child Protection Plans and accommodation systems of Local Authorities and Trusts.
At the heart of our mission is a commitment to addressing the unique challenges faced by these families. Many of them arrive with children bearing multiple identities – born in Ghana, having lived in countries such as Italy, Spain, Germany, and then resettled in the UK. The aspirations of these children often collide with the limitations encountered in their education journeys, resulting in identity crises that demand our attention and understanding.
Moreover, the recent surge in international recruitment for the Health and Care Sector has brought new families to the UK from Asia and Africa, seeking a better life. Unfortunately, these families often find themselves unfamiliar with the expectations placed on parents and the intricacies of safeguarding laws concerning children in the UK. Migrating from countries with distinct cultures, norms, and notions of safe parenting, they are in need of tailored support to navigate the nuances of their new environment.
AFRIFASS CIC
Our Directors
Kwaku Afram
(FOUNDER & CEO OF AFRIFASS CIC)
Kwaku Afram is a seasoned Safeguarding Consultant with an extensive career spanning over two decades, serving as a dedicated Child Protection Chair and Independent Reviewing Officer across diverse Local Authorities and Children’s Trusts.
His multifaceted professional journey includes roles as a Practice Educator, Safeguarding Parent Governor, and the Founder and current President of the Ghanaian Social Workers Association (GHASWA).
As the Keeping the Church Family Safe Officer at Bearwood SDA Church and a member of the National Working Group for Child Abuse Linked to Faith and Belief, Kwaku has showcased his commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of vulnerable populations.
With over 22 years of experience, he has built a strong record of collaboration with stakeholders, community leaders, and partner agencies.
Kwaku Afram’s unwavering passion for children, coupled with his advocacy for the rights and improved living standards of Black and ethnic minority children, underscores his commitment to fostering positive outcomes for families.
Ebenezer Offei
Supporting Director
Ebenezer Offei is a dedicated children’s social worker with a specialist focus on Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC). As an Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP), he brings a wealth of expertise in safeguarding, mental health, and the unique challenges faced by vulnerable children and young people.
With extensive experience working in court, care, and planning teams, he has played a pivotal role in developing and reviewing care plans, preparing court reports, and presenting assessments and recommendations that shape the futures of children in care. His collaborative approach ensures that every child’s voice is heard and that care planning is both thorough and compassionate.
He is passionate about advocating for children’s rights and wellbeing, particularly for those navigating complex legal and social systems. His trauma-informed and culturally sensitive practice underpins a commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes for every child.
As a Non-Executive Director at AFRIFASS, he brings strategic insight, professional integrity, and a deep commitment to the organisation’s mission. His leadership helps ensure AFRIFASS remains a champion for inclusion, empowerment, and positive change for children and families across the communities it serves.
Foster Amoako
Supporting Director
Foster Amoako has always had a keen interest in both business and health from a young age. His desire to become a businessman and a health expert led him to study business at the secondary school level and later pursued a BA (Hons) in Business Accounting and Finance and went on to obtain a Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing.
Throughout his career, he has gained valuable experience working in private pharmacy shops and various private companies. He also served as the church treasurer for the Amsterdam Ghanaian Seventh-Day Adventist Church under the Netherlands Union for five years.
His passion for nurturing young people has kept him actively involved in children’s and youth ministry within the Seventh-Day Adventist Church for over 25 years, both in Ghana and abroad organizing vacation Bible programs and youth mentorship initiatives.
Believing strongly in the power of education, he founded Vision Education Centre, in Asante Akyem North, Ghana, where he continue to make an impact in the lives of students specially those who are financially deprived.
Foster’s vision for AFRIFASS CIC is to create a safe, inclusive, and empowered society where Black African and other minority children and families are protected, valued, and supported to thrive free from harm, discrimination, and inequality and a mission to advocate for the rights, protection, and well-being of Black African and other minority children and families by providing culturally competent support services, safeguarding interventions, education, and collaborative partnerships with communities and stakeholders.
We aim to ensure every child and family grow up safely, supported, and able to reach their full potential.
Winifred Afram
Executive Administrative Secretary
Winifred Afram serves as the Executive Administrative Secretary at AFRIFASS CIC, providing essential coordination and strategic support to ensure the smooth delivery of the organisation’s programmes and operations. As a qualified social worker with extensive experience, Winifred brings both professional expertise and a deep commitment to the well-being of families from diverse and often marginalised backgrounds.
Winifred’s career has centred on supporting children in care and care-experienced young adults, giving her a strong understanding of the systemic challenges faced by vulnerable families. Her practical knowledge of social work processes and safeguarding is invaluable in supporting the design and implementation of culturally sensitive parenting and family support services.
In addition to her professional background, Winifred has spent over a decade in voluntary leadership as head of the Children’s Ministries at Bearwood Seventh-day Adventist Church, where she nurtured and mentored children through faith-based and values-driven programmes.
AFRIFASS CIC is not just an organization; we are a community-driven force dedicated to facilitating the seamless integration of families into the fabric of British society. Through culturally sensitive programs, educational initiatives, and personalized support, we empower parents and children alike. Our goal is to bridge the gap between expectations and reality, fostering a sense of belonging and understanding that transcends cultural differences.
Join us on this transformative journey, where we celebrate diverse identities, empower families, and redefine the narrative of cultural integration. African and Minority Families Support Services (AFRIFASS CIC): Empowering Dreams, Embracing Change.