New law passed to protect child and youth rights in Germany

The German Parliament (Bundestag) has introduced a new law aimed at modernising child and youth welfare, and improving how children and young people are protected. 

Regulation of several key principles will underpin the new Child and Youth Empowerment Act, that was passed on 22 April by Franziska Giffey, Germany’s Federal Youth Minister.

The cooperation between child and youth welfare and important actors in child protection is to be expanded and improved. In this way, the health care system should also be given greater responsibility for effective child protection.

‘Better participation rights of those affected’

In addition, parents have a legal right to advice, support and support for their relationship with the child when they receive help outside of their own family. In order to secure the rights of children and young people in family care, protection concepts must be applied there in the future.

Children and young people should have an unrestricted right to advice from child and youth welfare. In addition, there are plans to establish ombudsman offices in law in order to strengthen the participation of young people and their parents. In particular, the rights of foster children are to be strengthened.

Click here for a video of Minister Giffey presenting the new legislation (in German. English subtitles available).

Author: Simon Weedy

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