Children on the Edge

Who we are

Children on the Edge exists to help marginalised and forgotten children, who are living on the edge of their societies. These are children without parental care, neglected or persecuted by their governments, ignored by international media and missed by large overseas agencies.

​Working in partnership with local communities, we help create safe, child friendly environments. We support children to realise their rights, and restore the ingredients of a full childhood by generating hope, life, colour and fun. 

For 35 years we have been a charity that returns a full childhood to forgotten children. 

You will find us in the places where the cameras do not click, where many aid agencies do not venture; places as forgotten to the world as the children we try to help.

Finding these places, getting into these fragmented communities, is not always easy. We can often meet resistance and sometimes, we have to go against the flow.

Our programmes give these children a safe environment where they are protected, their rights are realised and their dignity and self worth is nurtured.

By restoring the ingredients of a full childhood - hope, life, colour and fun - we give them the chance to thrive and an opportunity to be children again.

These are the tenets of what we provide, but nothing is off-the-shelf with Children on the Edge. Each project is innovative, bespoke and built on extensive research. Our programmes are often used as models of good practice, leading to change on a larger scale and creating an impact that punches above our weight.

We value each person as a unique individual so a relational approach is at the heart of all that we do.

To develop work which genuinely meets the needs of forgotten children, we build vital networks of like-minded people, global experts and local partners. Utilising creativity and expertise is essential. We resource local partners, nurture independence and encourage community ownership.

Equality, diversity and inclusion policy

Policy Statement 

1.1     Children on the Edge is a child rights organisation created to support the world’s most marginalised children. We currently work with more than 15,500 children in Bangladesh, India, Uganda, Myanmar, and Afghanistan. 

Over 35 years of experience in more than 18 countries have enabled us to work alongside communities to design programmes that address their specific needs and circumstances. By doing so, we help transform the lives of marginalised children by co-creating protective, nurturing environments in which they can safely live, play, learn, and thrive.

1.2     With equity, diversity and inclusion forming our values, we consistently listen, respond and adapt in rapidly changing environments. The principles of inclusiveness, tolerance and fairness are key to the way we work.

1.3     This policy exists to ensure equitable access to the employment opportunities and working practices at our UK Head Office. It is also the basis for which we engage and work with our international project partners.

1.4     We will not accept unfair discrimination or less favourable treatment on the grounds of race, ethnicity, class, caste, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion or belief, immigration status, disability, marriage and civil partnership, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity or trade union activity (see section 6 for definitions) as an employer or in the running of our organisation.  

1.5     This policy is fully supported by COTE’s Board of Trustees, Directors and senior management team who have given clear direction and leadership that promoting equality is a priority.