Jugendamt — Help for Families, Not Just Supervision

Status: March 2026. All information without guarantee.

What is Jugendamt?

Jugendamt is a government office that exists in every city and district. Its primary task is supporting families and protecting children.

Important: Jugendamt is not meant to take children away. In 99% of cases, it offers help and counseling.

What assistance does Jugendamt offer?

Free for all families:

• Erziehungsberatung — advice on parenting, school problems, conflicts
• Familienberatung — support for marital issues, separation, parental stress
• Kita-Gutscheine — application for childcare places
• Jugendfreizeiteinrichtungen — sports clubs, youth centers
• Beurkundungen — paternity acknowledgment, custody declarations

For special needs (§§ 27–35 SGB VIII):

• Sozialpädagogische Familienhilfe — regular in-home support
• Erziehungsbeistand — individual counseling for teenagers
• Tagesgruppen — after-school care groups
• Pflegefamilie / Heim — only as a last resort if child welfare is at risk

When does Jugendamt intervene?

Jugendamt must take action when there are signs of Kindeswohl (child welfare) being endangered:
- Physical or emotional abuse
- Neglect (lack of food, no medical care)
- Sexual abuse

Process after a report:

1. Report is received (from neighbors, school, doctor, anonymously)
2. Jugendamt investigates the situation (home visit, interviews)
3. Offering help — in most cases, a solution is found together
4. Only in acute danger: temporary placement of the child (Inobhutnahme)

Tips for foreign families

• Jugendamt is not your enemy — it wants to help
• You can request an interpreter
• Cultural differences in parenting are considered, but: physical punishment is prohibited in Germany (§ 1631 BGB)
• Counseling is confidential — use these services!
• If uncertain: Migration counseling (AWO, Caritas, Diakonie) can assist with Jugendamt contact