The Centres for Social Work are municipal or cantonal institutions whose role is to provide social assistance and protection, in particular to families, vulnerable persons, and children. Centres for Social Work have a duty, as per national and international legislation, to ensure legal guardianship and protection to all unaccompanied and separated children regardless of their nationality.
These centres appoint guardians for unaccompanied migrant and refugee children in cooperation with UNICEF, UNHCR, Save the Children, and other partners.
Centres for Social Work also have a responsibility to address violence, abuse, neglect, and exploitation of children, and domestic violence.