Child Welfare & Protection

Where can I report a child at risk (anonymously)?

An online form has been set up to report a child at risk (anonymously). You also have the option to provide your details on the form – but you are not obliged to do so. However, it is very helpful for the social workers responsible if they can contact you should they have any further questions. Information about the child or the parents is essential.

You can also report the risk by telephone, in person or in writing to City Department Child and youth welfare

When must I report a risk to a child’s welfare?

Under Section 37 of the Federal Child and Youth Welfare Act (BKJHG), certain professional groups are obliged to report cases where children are at risk. These include:

• Courts, public authorities and public supervisory bodies
• Institutions providing care or education for children and young people
• Psychosocial counselling services
• Private child and youth welfare organisations
• Hospitals and sanatoriums
• Home care services
• Individuals who work on a self-employed basis to provide care or education for children and young people
• Freelancers commissioned by the Child and Youth Welfare Service

What is meant by ‘the best interests of the child’?

The term ‘best interests of the child’ is not clearly defined. The social worker assesses, on the basis of specific guidelines (Section 138 of the Austrian Civil Code), whether the ‘best interests of the child’ are at risk.

The guidelines relating to the “best interests of the child” are largely met if:

• the family’s livelihood is secure.
• your child receives regular and sufficient food, you maintain a basic standard of hygiene and provide your child with clothing appropriate to the season.
• Your living space is adequate for the size of your family.
• you develop and maintain a supportive relationship amongst family members.
• you do not experience or perpetrate physical or psychological violence within the family;
• Your child is able to develop in a manner appropriate to their age, in line with their psychological, emotional and social abilities.
• Your child has access to the necessary care (doctor, nursery, school, etc.).
• You take sufficient responsibility for your child, protect them from danger and psychological or physical violence, teach them social values and norms, and treat your child with sufficient respect and consistency.

What are children allowed to do at what age?

How long may a child of a certain age be left alone at home? At what age are children allowed to ride alone on a bus or go to summer camp? Such questions cannot be answered in a general way, because it always depends on the respective child and the respective situation what a child is allowed to do or not.

The Tyrolean Youth Act provides some guidelines. The Infoeck provides a clear list of what basically applies to children and young people.

What happens after a report of a child being at risk?

A mere suspicion that a child’s welfare is at risk is sufficient grounds for a report. You do not need to decide whether the child’s welfare is actually at risk. That is the responsibility of the Child and Youth Welfare Service. So, if you suspect that a child is at risk, please report this (anonymously if you wish) using the online ‘Risk to a Child’s Welfare’ form.

• Child and Youth Services is legally obliged to investigate every report. The investigation must be carried out in accordance with the dual-control principle and statutory standards. This means that the way in which Child and Youth Services proceeds is discussed as a team. Depending on the urgency, the nature of the potential risk, the child’s age, etc., Child and Youth Services will respond in different ways, for example by:
  • Contacting the person who made the report (where possible)
  • Contacting the school
  • Contact with the family
  • scheduled or unannounced home visits, etc.
• In many cases, no risk to the child’s welfare is identified – in which case the case is closed.
• If it transpires that there is a risk or at least a need for support, the overriding aim is always to offer help in consultation with the family. Child and Youth Services is obliged to always use the least intrusive means – that is, to intervene in family life to the minimum extent necessary. In most cases, this is successful and support is provided in collaboration with the parents, or they are referred to the relevant social services; see“What support can Child and Youth Welfare Services offer?”
• If a child is at risk – though not in an acute situation – and no agreement can be reached with the parents, Child and Youth Services submits applications to the District Court in accordance with Section 181 of the Austrian Civil Code (ABGB). The court proceedings will then determine what measures are necessary going forward; see“What support can Child and Youth Welfare Services offer?”.
• If the professionals determine that there is an immediate threat to the child’s life or physical well-being, the child may be removed from the family even against the parents’ wishes. This is known as‘imminent danger’. However, this ‘most severe’ measure is only very rarely applied and is immediately reported by Child and Youth Services to the guardianship court or district court. The court then examines whether Child and Youth Services acted lawfully. However, even in cases of acute danger, an agreement with the parents is possible if they acknowledge the problem and, by signing a consent form, support the placement of the child in alternative care.

What support can child and youth services offer?

In the field of social work, the City Department Child and youth welfare can offer you the following support:

• Counselling; the Social Services Map provides an overview of counselling centres.
• Protection (such as risk assessments)
• Support withadoptions
• Foster parents Supporting and recruiting
• Initiating support measures for children, young people and their families

In terms of legal representation, Service Unit Child and youth welfare - legal representation can offer you the following support:

• Advice; the Social Services Guide provides an overview of advice centres
• Clarification of parentage – acknowledgement of paternity
• Securing child maintenance for your child/children
• Settlement of recourse claims/reimbursement of costs

The support measures for the ‘assistance with the upbringing’ of minors are:

• Outpatient support: Outpatient support assists you as a family within your familiar environment and works with you to develop solutions to your individual problems. This service may also include group sessions.
• Supportive day care programmes: These programmes are primarily provided by recognised organisations and are only granted in exceptional circumstances.
• Residential placement in a children’s or youth care facility: A residential placement in a children’s and youth care facility may be arranged if, as parents, you are overwhelmed by the task of bringing up your child or children and no other support measure is sufficient. The costs of accommodation are covered by child and youth welfare services; however, as parents, you are required to make a reasonable contribution as part of your maintenance obligation.
• Placement of the child with a foster family

How do I find the relevant social worker?

The areas of responsibility of social workers City Department Child and youth welfare Innsbruck are organised by district (known as ‘district social work’). For information on which social worker is responsible for which area, please contact City Department Child and youth welfare