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Care and provision for a child in an emergency situation

  • Partnerschaft und Familie 



    	    

		    
If you find yourself in a situation where both you and the other parent are unavailable to care for your child who is not yet 14 years old, the Office of Social Services will assist you.

		    


                					    

						    

							    Competent Department
						    

						    
					    

                        
					    

						    

							    Basic information
						    

						    

							    

								    
  • The care and provision of the child in emergency situations takes place in the form of short-term care in accordance with § 20 SGB VIII. Short-term care within the framework of § 20 Para. 2 SGB VIII is only to be used if the care of the child in the parental home, which is the primary objective, is not possible because a suitable caregiver is not available to care for the child during the day and night.
  • It is intended to ensure that a child can remain in his or her original living environment and be cared for and provided for there, even in an acute family emergency situation. In this way, the spatial and social environment is maintained.
  • Assistance is to be provided as long as there is a possibility that family circumstances will stabilize again. In this way, the parents can resume family life after the emergency situation has been overcome.
  • The support is coordinated and planned together with the family according to the respective emergency situation. It is intended to compensate for the absence of the parent as far as possible.
								    

									    Requirements
Under the following conditions, care and provision for a child in an emergency situation may be resorted to: 


  • The parent who primarily cares for a child is absent for health or other compelling reasons (for example, childbirth, spa treatment, or criminal detention).
  • The other parent is unable to take care of the child.
  • Other forms of care, such as day care or day nurseries, cannot adequately meet the child's care needs during the absence of the parent who primarily cares for the child.
  • The assistance is necessary to ensure the child's well-being.
  • At least one child under the age of 14 lives in the household affected by an emergency situation.