The law to amend the provisions of child and youth welfare law that has now been passed by the state parliament represents an important basis for future child and youth protection in Lower Saxony. KJSG) has been changed. Health Minister Daniela Behrens says:
“The Federal Child and Youth Strengthening Act stands for improvements, especially for those young people who are disadvantaged, who grow up under stressful living conditions or who run the risk of being left behind in social participation. I am very pleased that we are the first federal state to implement the federal requirements in two important points and to specify them in state law. Lower Saxony is thus taking on a pioneering role, especially when it comes to setting up ombudsman offices.
In the triangular relationship between families, public youth welfare and independent providers, conflicts sometimes arise in the context of youth welfare measures. In the future, independent ombudsman offices will advise families in these conflicts and try to work towards an amicable solution. With the KJSG, the federal states were obliged to set up independent ombudsman offices. Four regional and one national ombudsman are initially planned in Lower Saxony. An evaluation after a period of three years should check the estimated requirements.
In addition, Section 45a of SGB VIII is specified in state law. There, the term “facility” is legally defined for the first time; however, this would not include family-like forms of care. We must ensure that all children and young people who are cared for under the responsibility of the state grow up protected and safe. The state regulation will therefore mean that such care relationships will continue to be subject to the operating license requirement and thus to home supervision.
In addition, an authorization basis for the prohibition of illegal home operations is introduced with this implementing law to SGB VIII. This strengthens home regulators. So far, in Lower Saxony, a ban was only possible according to the regulations of the police and regulatory law.”–
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