Child protection - anonymous case counseling

Children and young people are under special protection in our society. This is legally enshrined in the Federal Child Protection Act. The aim of this law is to protect the welfare of children and to promote the physical, mental and emotional development of children and young people.

People who spend a lot of time with children and young people in their job are the first to notice signs of a potential risk to a child's welfare. Uncertainties often arise in the (subjective) assessment of a situation.

Professionals play a key role in assessing a risk situation. If, in the course of their professional activities, groups of people (confidential informants) become aware of significant indications that the welfare of a child/young person is at risk, they have a duty to discuss the situation with the person with custody and, if necessary, to work towards the provision of appropriate help.

In order to fulfill their duties, people who are in professional contact with children and young people can, in individual cases, make use of the advice of an "experienced specialist" when assessing a risk to the welfare of a child.

This advice is provided by the youth welfare office "anonymously", without mentioning the names of the children, young people and parents concerned.

The aims of anonymous counseling are

• To enable the assessment of whether a child's welfare is at risk
• To show the possibilities for averting the risk
• To arrange for support from other professionals or specialist agencies
• Joint discussion of possible further steps

§ Section 4 KKG Para. 2, Section 8a Para. 4 and Section 8b Para. 1 Social Code VIII (SGB VIII)