Continued problematic conditions in Vienna crisis centers

Unaccompanied minor refugees in Austria face constitutional violations and inadequate care, according to a report by the Austrian Child and Youth Advocate (KJA). The report highlights the prolonged stays of refugee orphans in federal care facilities, which contradicts the Austrian constitution that prioritizes the well-being of children. Due to supply shortages, these children often cannot be placed in suitable accommodations and end up staying in federal care facilities for five to seven months without a legal guardian.

The lack of permanent residence status for these minors makes it difficult for them to access education or vocational training during their stay. The report reveals that as of November 2022, approximately 1,200 refugee orphans were living in federal care homes, which suffer from inadequate staffing levels. The lack of pedagogical support, educational activities, and leisure opportunities in these facilities increases the risk of violence and escalation among the minors.

The KJA emphasizes that the young refugees describe their time in these facilities as a wasted lifetime. They are highly motivated to learn and work but are forced to wait indefinitely. The report highlights the significant disparity in caregiver-to-minor ratios, with 8.9 minors per caregiver in federal districts, 1.4 caregivers per caregiver in regional districts, and an average of two caregivers per minor in shared apartments.

In contrast to other federal states, Vienna has fulfilled the admission quota for unaccompanied minor refugees. The Viennese child and youth welfare service has taken custody of around 400 children and young people who fled alone. However, there are still significant differences in the quality of accommodations provided. The KJA criticizes the accommodation of 70 minors in a single house, which fails to meet children’s rights requirements and represents discrimination compared to the standards of child and youth welfare.

The report also highlights the ongoing problems in crisis centers. Despite 95 monitoring visits in 2022, there has been little improvement in the critical supply situation for children. Overcrowding remains a persistent issue, with crisis centers accommodating more children than planned. This compromises the protection of minors and hinders crisis clarifications and relationship work.

The experts also raise concerns about the treatment of young people with an increased potential for violence, who are guarded by security personnel, and children with disabilities, who are cared for by purchased nursing staff. Additionally, there are persistently long waiting times for social-therapeutic and psychiatric accommodations, and the relocation of children to crisis centers is often non-systematic. The report emphasizes the need for better collaboration between institutions and child and adolescent psychiatry.

The child and youth ombudsman warns that the established area of child and youth psychiatrists is also stretched to its limit in terms of resources. The report calls for urgent action to align the accommodation standards for refugee orphans with those of child and youth welfare, improve staffing levels, and address the systemic issues in crisis centers and psychiatric care.

Overall, the report sheds light on the challenges faced by unaccompanied minor refugees in Austria and calls for immediate measures to ensure their well-being and access to essential services.

What are the specific challenges and barriers faced by unaccompanied minor refugees in accessing mental health support in Vienna?

Th advocate office has been successful in providing suitable accommodations and timely care for these young refugees. However, the report reveals that even in Vienna, there are still challenges in ensuring the well-being and proper support for unaccompanied minor refugees.

The report raises concerns about the lack of mental health support for these children, as well as the limited access to legal counseling and representation. Many of these minors are traumatized by their experiences and desperately need psychological assistance to cope with their past and current situations. Furthermore, the report highlights the need for better coordination between federal and regional authorities to address the issues faced by unaccompanied minor refugees.

In response to the report, the KJA has made several recommendations to improve the situation. These include increasing staffing levels in federal care facilities, ensuring a sufficient number of caregivers per minor, and prioritizing the allocation of suitable accommodations for refugee orphans. The KJA also calls for the establishment of a clear process to determine the best interests of each child, including their access to education and vocational training.

The constitutional violations and inadequate care experienced by unaccompanied minor refugees in Austria is a pressing issue that requires immediate attention and action. The government, together with relevant authorities and organizations, must work together to address these concerns, protect the rights of these vulnerable children, and provide them with the care and support they desperately need for their well-being and future prospects.