Parents who have troubled lives or are in a situation of crisis often simply cannot cope and are therefore not in a position to look after their children. Many lack essentials such as money to pay for doctor's fees or school, enough strength, good health, or confidence in the future. Through its family strengthening programmes, SOS Children's Villages hopes to help families to learn to look after themselves so that they can live independently in the long-term. Only in this way can we ensure that children are not left on their own and that they grow up in their families.

SOS Children's Villages is convinced that it is almost always best for children to grow up in families. Millions of children across the world have already lost the protection of their families. Poverty, disease, violence, natural disasters and armed conflicts mean that every day there are more children who at risk of being abandoned, neglected and/or abused.

SOS Children's Villages works with the communities concerned and with local partners to support disadvantaged families across the world. Its family strengthening programmes are aimed according to local circumstances at special target groups such as single mothers, families that have been affected by HIV/AIDS or families with financial problems that are often linked to addiction, illness and exclusion. SOS Children's Villages' family strengthening programmes are divided into three phases.