Youth Welfare Services

Child and youth welfare includes services provided by public and private child and youth welfare organizations that contribute to supporting the rights of children and adolescents to promote their development and upbringing as independent and socially competent individuals, to protect them from all forms of violence, and to strengthen the educational power of families.

Since 2020 only the federal states are responsible for child and youth welfare matters. The concrete services and consultations of child and youth welfare are provided by services in the political districts and cities with their own statute (so-called youth welfare offices). However, recognized private institutions also offer their services.

The following services were provided nationwide by child and youth welfare in 2020:

A total of 38,489 children and adolescents (25 persons per 1,000 inhabitants at the same age) received educational support, and 12,678 children and adolescents (8.2 persons per 1,000 inhabitants at the same age) were cared for in residential care outside of their families.
3,503 young people between 18 and 21 received assistance for young adults by ambulant support (4.9 persons per 1,000 inhabitants at the same age) or residential living (8.1 persons per 1,000 inhabitants at the same age).
Residential care is provided by foster parents or socio-pedagogic institutions (shared living of 8 to 12 children and adolescents with professional care in flats).
36,756 risk assessments were initiated to examine threats to the wellbeing of children.
59,654 educational aids were granted, 90 per cent of which were based on an agreement and only 10 per cent on the basis of a court order.
702.3 million euros were spent on educational support, residential care outside of families and support for young adults. Revenues from cost reimbursements amounted to 41.5 million euros.
86 children received support through participation in adoption.
Legal representation was provided for 71,775 children and young people