Your participation is needed
In difficult life situations, parents have the opportunity to receive support from youth welfare services in raising their children. This support is called Hilfe zur Erziehung ("educational assistance"). Educational assistance includes different types of help, which can also be combined with each other. There is ambulant help (e.g. family guidance), semi-stationary help (e.g. day groups) and stationary help (e.g. living groups).
Parents and legal guardians can apply for educational assistance at the youth welfare office (Jugendamt). The situation is different when it comes to child endangerment. Here, the youth welfare office becomes active on its own to protect the children.
It is the task of the youth welfare office to find suitable help together with all those involved. This happens in the so-called Hilfeplangespräch ("help plan discussion"). A successful youth welfare assistance needs the participation of parents and their children. This is the only way to determine the concrete needs of the family and to formulate realistic goals for their future.
The Ombuds Office aims at strengthening participation rights
Many parents feel overwhelmed by the youth welfare system. Bureaucratic procedures, complicated regulations or unclear responsibilities often cause uncertainty among parents. Typical questions in this context may be: Did the youth welfare authorities act correctly? What are they allowed to decide and what not? What rights do parents have if they disagree with a decision?
The Augsburg Ombuds Office offers counselling for parents who feel insecure and powerless in the youth welfare system. Our work is oriented towards the principle of Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe ("capacity building"), i.e. parents should be supported in independently standing up for their position and bringing in their own point of view.
The service offered by the Ombuds Office includes:
- • Information on participation rights and complaint procedures
- • Support in conflicts with the youth welfare office and other youth welfare agencies
- • Identifying possible solutions to problems
- • Accompaniment to appointments
How does the counselling work?
You contact us and tell us about your problem
In counselling we look together for solutions to your problem
