Youth law

School Attendance, Legal Responsibility, Government Protection, and the Role of Parents Introduction Children and adolescents in Germany enjoy extensive legal protection. German law is based on the principle that every child has the right to grow up in a safe, healthy, and supportive environment that promotes their physical, emotional, and social development. Many immigrant families encounter new concepts and legal requirements after arriving in Germany, which may differ significantly from the laws of their countries of origin. Topics such as: Compulsory schooling, The role of parents in raising children, The authority of the Youth Welfare Office (Jugendamt), Juvenile criminal responsibility, The use of social media, Employment of minors, Children’s rights within the family, are among the issues that every immigrant family should become familiar with. This article provides a general introduction to the most important principles of children’s and adolescents’ rights in Germany. Each topic will be discussed separately and in greater detail in future articles. ⸻ Who Is Considered a Child or an Adolescent Under German Law? Under German law, individuals under the age of 18 are considered minors (Minderjährige). In general, many German laws classify: Individuals under the age of 14 as children (Kinder), Individuals between the ages of 14 and 18 as adolescents or juveniles (Jugendliche), Individuals aged 18 and older as adults (Volljährige). German law assigns specific rights and responsibilities to each of these age groups. ⸻ Parents’ Responsibilities Toward Their Children In Germany, parents not only have the right to care for their children but also have legal responsibilities. Important Legal Provision § 1626 BGB – Parental Custody Legal Text “Die Eltern haben die Pflicht und das Recht, für das minderjährige Kind zu sorgen.” Translation “Parents have both the right and the duty to care for their minor child.” This responsibility includes: Physical care, Upbringing and education, Schooling, Health care, Financial support for the child. ⸻ Compulsory School Attendance in Germany One of the most significant differences between Germany and many other countries is the principle of compulsory schooling (Schulpflicht). All children are required to enroll in school and participate in compulsory education beginning at the age of six or seven, depending on the regulations of the federal state in which they live. The duration of compulsory education also varies by state but generally includes at least nine years of full-time schooling. Parents may not refuse to send their child to school without a legally recognized reason. Failure to comply with compulsory school attendance laws may result in official warnings, fines, and, in more serious cases, intervention by the responsible authorities. Under German law, attendance at preschool or kindergarten is not compulsory. However, attendance at primary and secondary school up to the completion of the ninth grade and obtaining a lower secondary school qualification is generally mandatory. ⸻ Children’s Rights in Germany In Germany, children are not merely subject to parental authority; they also possess independent rights. For example, every child has the right to: Protection from violence and abuse, Access to education, Access to medical care, Live in a safe environment. ⸻ Use of Social Media Today, many adolescents use Instagram, TikTok, WhatsApp, Snapchat, and other social media platforms. However, it is important to understand that behavior online can also have legal consequences. For example, insults, threats, sharing private images of others without permission, or cyberbullying may result in legal problems. ⸻ Can Adolescents Work? Yes, but German law imposes special restrictions on the employment of minors. For example, the type of work, working hours, and working conditions must be appropriate for the young person’s age. The purpose of these regulations is to ensure that employment does not negatively affect an adolescent’s education, health, or development. The rules governing youth employment in Germany are subject to special legal provisions and will be discussed in detail in a separate article. ⸻ Criminal Responsibility of Adolescents Many parents assume that individuals under the age of 18 bear no legal responsibility for their actions. However, this is not correct. In Germany, adolescents can be held legally responsible for certain actions beginning at the age of 14. The laws governing juvenile offenders differ from those that apply to adults and will be explained in detail in a separate article. ⸻ Physical Punishment of Children in Germany In Germany, physical punishment of children is not legally acceptable. Important Legal Provision § 1631 Paragraph 2 BGB Legal Text “Kinder haben ein Recht auf gewaltfreie Erziehung.” Translation “Children have the right to be raised without violence.” For this reason, hitting children, severe physical punishment, or humiliating treatment may lead to legal consequences for parents. ⸻ The Role of the Jugendamt One institution that many immigrants become familiar with is the Youth Welfare Office (Jugendamt). Its primary responsibility is to protect children, support families, and safeguard the welfare of children. Contrary to what some people believe, the main purpose of the Jugendamt is not to separate children from their families. Rather, its goal is to assist families and protect children in situations where their well-being may be at risk. In most cases, the Jugendamt first attempts to resolve problems by providing counseling, guidance, and support services to families. Removing a child from the family is generally considered a measure of last resort. ⸻ Common Mistakes Made by Immigrant Families Some families: Do not take school attendance requirements seriously, Are unaware of their rights and responsibilities, Receive inaccurate information about the Jugendamt. These misunderstandings can sometimes lead to unnecessary legal and family-related difficulties. ⸻ Important Warning In Germany, children’s and adolescents’ rights are taken very seriously. Violence, severe neglect, preventing a child from receiving an education, or endangering a child’s health and well-being may result in intervention by the responsible authorities. ⸻ Final Conclusion To ensure a safe family life in Germany: ✔ Take laws concerning children seriously. ✔ Follow and support your children’s education. ✔ Familiarize yourself with your rights and responsibilities. ✔ Seek assistance from counseling and support services when needed. ✔ Obtain information from reliable and trustworthy sources. In Germany, the protection of children and adolescents is one of the legislature’s highest priorities. Understanding these laws can help prevent many family-related and legal problems. Three Key Principles for Family Life in Germany ✔ Awareness ✔ Responsibility ✔ Respect for the Law These principles form the foundation of a safe, stable, and lawful family life in Germany.

Age and full-time compulsory schooling determine which part-time and holiday jobs are permitted. This guide explains the limits, breaks and checks to make before starting work. A holiday job can provide valuable first experience of working life. However, minors have special protection, including in a mini-job and even when their parents agree. Age, full-time compulsory schooling and the actual tasks all matter. Paying a low wage does not make otherwise prohibited work lawful. 1. Check age and school status first The Youth Employment Protection Act treats people under 15 as children and those aged 15 to 17 as young people. Those still subject to full-time compulsory schooling generally come under the rules for children. Whether that schooling obligation has ended depends on the relevant state law; the school year a pupil attends is not a reliable answer by itself. Child employment is generally prohibited. From age 13, specified light and suitable work is possible with the consent of the person with parental responsibility. School pupils aged at least 15 who remain subject to full-time compulsory schooling have an additional holiday exception: they may work during school holidays for no more than four weeks per calendar year. Different holiday jobs share that limit. 2. Which tasks are suitable? The Child Employment Protection Regulation permits, for example, delivering newspapers and tutoring, babysitting or gardening in private households, provided the work really is light and suitable. This exception does not permit any supermarket or restaurant job. Under the child-work rules, the general limit is two hours daily, or three in a family agricultural business. Work is prohibited before or during lessons and between 6 p.m. and 8 a.m. Dangerous machinery, serious accident risks and harmful working conditions are especially restricted for young workers. Exceptions designed for vocational training cannot simply be applied to holiday helpers. 3. Plan hours and rest For lawful youth employment, the general limits are eight hours a day, 40 hours a week and a five-day working week. Specific statutory exceptions may change individual limits. Work is normally between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m.; the employer must check any sector- and age-specific exception. Saturdays and Sundays are generally free, subject to statutory sector exceptions and replacement rest arrangements. Work exceeding four and a half hours and lasting up to six hours requires at least 30 minutes of breaks; more than six hours requires 60 minutes. Each break must last at least 15 minutes, and working more than four and a half hours without a break is prohibited. Hours across different employers are added together. 4. Agree the contract and pay Before starting, young workers and their parents or guardians should record tasks, hours, pay and the end date in writing and clarify the necessary consent. Under-18s without completed vocational training are outside the general statutory minimum wage. Agreed remuneration and any other applicable rules still matter, so obtain a clear written pay agreement. The responsible occupational safety authority or trade inspectorate and a youth advice service can help. Where relevant, immigration-related permission to work must also be checked separately; youth employment protection does not replace it. 5. Example and next steps A 16-year-old still in full-time compulsory education works for two weeks during the summer holiday. Normally, only two further weeks remain available for holiday jobs that calendar year. Changing employer does not restart the allowance. - Check age and compulsory schooling with the school and employer. - Add together all holiday jobs and working hours. - Record tasks, breaks, pay and consent before starting. - Seek advice early about dangerous tasks or excessive shifts. Sources and legal review - JArbSchG, insbesondere §§ 2, 4–5, 8, 11, 14–17, 22 https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/jarbschg/JArbSchG.pdf - KindArbSchV, § 2 https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/kindarbschv/KindArbSchV.pdf - BGB, § 107 https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bgb/107.html - MiLoG, § 22 https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/milog/BJNR134810014.html Law checked on 19 October 2026. This is general information, not individual legal advice. Obtain qualified advice for the circumstances of a particular case.

The pocket-money rule has no fixed euro limit and does not automatically validate every subscription. Age, consent and full payment using money released for the purpose are what matter. Clicking “Order” can quickly generate an invoice. Whether a contract involving a minor is legally effective is a separate question governed by the German Civil Code. Having a smartphone, a customer account or sufficient credit does not replace the legal requirements. These rules generally also apply to purchases in a physical shop. 1. Under seven, or aged seven to seventeen? Children under seven lack contractual capacity; their own declarations intended to create legal transactions are generally void. From the seventh birthday until adulthood, a minor has limited contractual capacity. Contracts creating payment duties or other legal disadvantages generally need the consent of the legal representative. A bargain is not “merely legally advantageous” simply because it is cheap: even a heavily discounted bicycle must be paid for. Accepting a gift without legal obligations may be different. The decisive issue is the legal obligation, not simply whether the deal is financially attractive. 2. What the pocket-money rule actually permits Section 110 BGB can make a contract entered into without specific consent effective from the outset if the minor fully performs their contractual obligation using money supplied for that purpose or for free disposal. The funds must have been provided by the legal representative, or by someone else with that representative’s consent. There is no general statutory ceiling of, for example, 20 or 50 euros. What matters is the permission actually given and the permitted purpose. Money expressly intended for a school travel ticket is not automatically available for computer games. Saved pocket money may qualify, but saving it does not simply override a specific parental prohibition. 3. Subscriptions, instalments and in-app purchases For an ongoing streaming subscription, mobile-phone contract or instalment purchase, paying the first instalment normally does not fulfil all future obligations under section 110. Consent from the legal representative is therefore generally required. A free trial month also needs attention when a payment obligation begins afterwards. Each in-app purchase should be considered separately. A stored payment method or false date of birth does not create full contractual capacity. If a parent’s account or payment details were used, it is also necessary to establish who actually became party to the contract. 4. What to do when an invoice arrives Where necessary prior consent was missing, the contract’s effectiveness generally depends on later approval. If the provider asks the legal representative to decide under section 108(2), there is a two-week period from receipt of that request; approval not given within it is treated as refused. Parents do not automatically become debtors merely because they are parents. Useful practical steps include keeping the order page, terms, payment records and messages, and clearly communicating any lack of consent. Avoid hurriedly acknowledging a debt or agreeing to instalments. Never ignore court documents or their deadlines; obtain consumer advice or legal help promptly if the claim is disputed. 5. Example and checklist A 15-year-old pays in full for a book with pocket money available for free use. Section 110 may apply. An annual subscription billed monthly does not become effective on the same basis simply because the first monthly payment was made. - Identify the age, contracting parties and payment model. - Check the source of the money and permission to use it. - Read the full term and later costs of any subscription. - Keep records and clarify necessary consent in advance. Sources and legal review - BGB, §§ 104–108 https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bgb/BJNR001950896.html - BGB, § 106 https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bgb/106.html - BGB, § 107 https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bgb/107.html - BGB, § 110 https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bgb/110.html Law checked on 19 October 2026. This is general information, not individual legal advice. Obtain qualified advice for the circumstances of a particular case.

Alcohol age limits depend on the product, while tobacco and vapes generally have an age limit of 18. Public settings, actual accompaniment and the difference between parental custody and delegated supervision also matter. At a supermarket checkout, town festival or café, the important question is not just who pays. The Youth Protection Act also regulates who may receive products and whose consumption may be permitted in public. A gift from an older friend does not circumvent those rules. The precise product is crucial. 1. Beer and wine: generally from 16 In restaurants, retail outlets and other public settings, beer, wine, wine-like drinks, sparkling wine and mixtures of these with non-alcoholic drinks may generally be supplied only to people aged 16 or older. Consumption by under-16s must generally not be permitted there either. This includes, for example, beer mixed with lemonade without any spirits. A limited exception applies to 14- and 15-year-olds accompanied by a person with parental responsibility. This means, for example, a parent with custody, rather than just any adult friend. Written delegation of supervision to another adult is not enough for this alcohol exception. The exception does not apply to children under 14. 2. Spirits and spirit-based drinks: from 18 Other alcoholic drinks, especially spirits and cocktails or mixtures containing them, must not be supplied to minors or permitted for their consumption in public. This also covers foods containing more than a negligible amount of such drinks. Accompaniment by a person with parental responsibility does not create an exception here. The decisive factor is composition, not a sweet flavour, colourful packaging or low alcohol percentage. A drink containing vodka is therefore classified differently from a mixture consisting only of beer and lemonade. If the label is unclear, check the ingredients or ask the seller. 3. Tobacco and vapes: 18 even without nicotine Tobacco products, other nicotine-containing products and their containers must not be supplied to under-18s in public. Smoking and the consumption of nicotine products must not be permitted for them there either. Parental accompaniment or consent does not create a corresponding exception. The rule also covers nicotine-free electronic cigarettes and electronic shishas that heat liquid and produce aerosol inhaled through the mouth, as well as their containers. “Nicotine-free” therefore does not mean approved for young people. Offering and supplying the covered products to minors by mail order is expressly prohibited too. 4. Checks and responsibility Where age limits apply, a person must provide suitable evidence of age when requested. Organisers and businesses must check doubtful cases. A photograph or a particular card will not necessarily be accepted everywhere; checking accepted documents beforehand is sensible. These provisions particularly concern supply and permitted consumption in public. They do not mean that every instance of possession by a minor is automatically a criminal offence. Nor are they a blanket permission for private parties: responsibilities of care, house rules and other protective provisions remain relevant. Retailers and adults facilitating prohibited conduct may bear responsibility. 5. Example and next steps A 15-year-old visits a town festival with her 20-year-old sister. Even if their parents delegated supervision, the special beer exception does not apply unless the sister actually holds parental responsibility. A vape could not be supplied either, regardless of its nicotine content. - Check the age and exact product ingredients. - Distinguish parental responsibility from delegated supervision. - Have suitable evidence of age available. - Ask the youth welfare office or local youth protection service if unsure. Sources and legal review - JuSchG, § 9 https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/juschg/9.html - JuSchG, § 10 https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/juschg/10.html - JuSchG, § 1 https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/juschg/1.html - JuSchG, § 2 https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/juschg/2.html - JuSchG, § 28 https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/juschg/28.html Law checked on 19 October 2026. This is general information, not individual legal advice. Obtain qualified advice for the circumstances of a particular case.

Cinemas and public dance events have different age and time rules. This guide explains genuine adult accompaniment, written parental authorisation and why a film’s age rating must be checked separately. A cinema ticket or parental permission alone does not settle whether an evening outing is allowed. The Youth Protection Act distinguishes film screenings, public dance events and restaurants. Age, the type of event, the time and, where required, valid accompaniment all matter. Organisers may also impose stricter admission conditions. 1. At the cinema, check the finishing time Without a person with parental responsibility or an authorised supervising adult, public screenings must finish by 8 p.m. for children aged 6–13, by 10 p.m. for those aged 14–15, and by midnight for those aged 16–17. Children under six may attend only with one of these accompanying adults. The relevant time is when the screening finishes, not simply when it starts. Before booking a late showing, check its actual finishing time with the cinema. Arranging for someone to collect a child afterwards does not replace required accompaniment during the screening. 2. Film age ratings still apply The film must also be approved for the relevant age group. The familiar categories are unrestricted, age six, age twelve, age sixteen and no admission for minors. Having an adult present does not generally override these classifications. A special exception allows children aged at least six to attend a film rated twelve when accompanied by a person with parental responsibility or an authorised supervising adult. This FSK-12 exception does not allow a twelve-year-old to watch an FSK-16 film. Check the film rating and any accompaniment requirement caused by a late finish separately. 3. Discos and public dance events Under-16s generally need a person with parental responsibility or an authorised supervising adult at public dance events. Those aged 16 or 17 may stay unaccompanied only until midnight. With valid accompaniment, section 5(1) does not impose that same time limit, but admission conditions and other protective rules still apply. There are exceptions for events run by recognised youth welfare providers or serving artistic participation or traditional customs: children under 14 may attend until 10 p.m., and 14- and 15-year-olds until midnight. The competent authority can also authorise exceptions. An event advertised simply as a “youth party” does not thereby establish that an exception applies. 4. What real accompaniment means An authorised supervising adult is an adult who actually takes on educational or supervisory responsibilities by agreement with the person holding parental responsibility. They must be present and capable of providing reliable supervision. A completed parental authorisation form, often called a “Muttizettel”, is not enough without a suitable accompanying person. The authorisation must be explained or evidenced when requested; organisers must check doubtful cases. Ask in advance which documents they require. Restaurants have separate rules. Minors are generally excluded from night bars and nightclubs within the meaning of section 4(3); an ordinary disco is not automatically such a venue simply because of its name. Accompaniment does not generally override alcohol restrictions. 5. Example and evening checklist A 15-year-old wants to attend an age-appropriate film ending at 10:30 p.m. He cannot attend that showing alone. A suitable authorised supervising adult can meet the accompaniment requirement; a piece of paper alone or someone waiting outside to collect him cannot. - Check the event type, film rating and finishing time. - Arrange a suitable accompanying adult where necessary. - Check accepted proof of age and supervision authorisation. - Agree admission arrangements, transport home and contact with parents beforehand. Sources and legal review - JuSchG, § 11 https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/juschg/11.html - JuSchG, § 5 https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/juschg/5.html - JuSchG, §§ 1–2 https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/juschg/1.html - JuSchG, § 2 https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/juschg/2.html - JuSchG, § 4 https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/juschg/4.html - JuSchG, § 14 https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/juschg/14.html Law checked on 19 October 2026. This is general information, not individual legal advice. Obtain qualified advice for the circumstances of a particular case.

A police letter is not a finding of guilt, but it needs careful attention. Your age when the alleged offence happened, your role in the case and the authority calling you in determine what you need to do. An invitation following a fight, suspected shoplifting or an incident in a class group chat can worry young people and their parents. Start by reading the entire letter: are you suspected of an offence, or being asked about something you witnessed? The rules differ. 1. Which age matters? - Under 14 when the act occurred: Children lack criminal culpability under section 19 of the Criminal Code (StGB). They cannot be criminally convicted for that act. Police may nevertheless investigate what happened; youth-welfare support and other consequences, including school measures, remain possible. - 14 to 17 when the act occurred: Juvenile criminal law applies. Criminal responsibility also requires sufficient maturity to understand that the act was wrong and to act accordingly (section 3 JGG). - 18 to 20 when the act occurred: The court assesses section 105 JGG for these young adults. Juvenile criminal law applies if their development still corresponded to that of a juvenile, or if the offence was a typically juvenile transgression by its nature, circumstances or motives. Otherwise, general criminal law normally applies. The relevant age is the age at the time of the alleged offence, not when the letter arrives. A later birthday does not automatically change that classification. 2. Do you have to attend? As a suspect: You generally do not have to attend a simple police invitation for questioning. A summons to appear before the prosecution or a court is different: attendance is generally compulsory. Your right to remain silent about the allegation still applies. As a witness: A summons from a court or prosecutor generally requires attendance and testimony. This also applies to a police witness summons issued on the prosecution’s instructions (section 163(3) StPO). Statutory privileges remain: specified relatives may refuse to testify (section 52), and witnesses may refuse particular answers that risk exposing themselves or specified relatives to prosecution (section 55). There is therefore no safe blanket rule to ignore police letters. Check the sender, your stated role, case number, appointment and rights notice. Clarify any uncertainty about whether attendance is mandatory before the appointment; a requested postponement needs confirmation. 3. Silence, a lawyer and language support Suspects may remain silent about the allegation and consult a defence lawyer before questioning (section 136 StPO). This is separate from legally required identity details. Ask for the allegation and your rights to be explained clearly, and do not sign a statement you do not understand. A lawyer is not automatically free simply because a suspect is a minor. Defence representation is mandatory in specified circumstances (section 68 JGG); appointment and possible costs require individual assessment. Suspects who do not understand sufficient German are entitled to free interpreting or translation insofar as necessary to exercise their procedural rights (section 187 GVG and section 163a(5) StPO). This does not mean every document must be translated in full. Explain your language needs early. 4. Parents and youth-court assistance Parents with responsibility for upbringing and legal representatives have information and participation rights when the suspect is a minor. They may attend questioning under the statutory conditions. Exceptions may protect the young person or the proceedings; another suitable adult may be involved instead where the law provides (sections 67 and 67a JGG). Parents do not replace a defence lawyer. The Jugendgerichtshilfe, usually accessed through the Jugendamt, brings the young person’s development, schooling, family circumstances and support needs into the proceedings. It also reports to prosecutors and courts. Ask what information will be passed on: this is not confidential advice from your lawyer. 5. Example: an incident at 17, a letter at 18 Someone now aged 18 receives a police invitation as a suspect about an incident at 17. Juvenile criminal law governs that act. Before making a statement, they can seek advice and discuss access to the case file through their lawyer. A friend receives a witness summons in the same case on the prosecutor’s instructions: she generally has to attend, even though the same police station sent both letters. Discontinuing proceedings, potentially following educational measures, may be possible under section 45 JGG, but is not guaranteed. 6. Your next-step checklist - Keep the letter and envelope; record the case number, appointments and deadlines. - Check your age at the time of the act and your procedural role; do not miss a compulsory appointment without an accepted excuse. - Arrange support for a minor and request legal advice and any necessary interpreting early. - Preserve relevant messages and documents unchanged; do not coordinate accounts with other people involved. - If arrested or facing detention, request legal assistance immediately and clarify your rights to have an appropriate person informed. Sources and legal review - StGB § 19 https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/stgb/19.html - JGG §§ 1, 3, 38, 45, 67–68, 105 https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/jgg/BJNR007510953.html - StPO § 163 https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/stpo/163.html - StPO § 163a https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/stpo/163a.html - StPO §§ 52, 55, 136 (amtliche Gesamtausgabe) https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/stpo/StPO.pdf - StPO § 48 https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/stpo/48.html - StPO § 161a https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/stpo/161a.html - GVG § 187 https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/gvg/187.html Law checked on 19 October 2026. This is general information, not individual legal advice. Obtain qualified advice for the circumstances of a particular case.

Families can ask the youth welfare office for support before a crisis escalates. Child-protection intervention has separate legal conditions and procedural safeguards. Asking the Jugendamt for help with parenting stress, conflict or exhaustion does not automatically lead to a child being removed. Parenting assistance and child protection are responsibilities of the same office, but their legal conditions differ. What matters is the individual need for support and any danger to the child, not the family’s origin or home language. 1. Request help and record its aims Under section 27 SGB VIII, a person with parental custody is entitled to suitable and necessary assistance where upbringing consistent with the child’s welfare is not assured. Options may include parenting advice, support at home or another appropriate service. The right arrangement depends on the case. Ask the Allgemeiner Sozialer Dienst for an appointment and explain the specific everyday difficulties. For longer-term assistance, a help plan is normally developed together. It should record needs, goals, services and review dates. Parents and children must receive understandable advice and participate. If language is a barrier, ask about interpretation in advance and have unfamiliar wording explained. 2. When a concern triggers a protection assessment If the office receives significant indications that a child’s welfare is at risk, section 8a requires a risk assessment involving several professionals. Parents and the child participate unless that would undermine effective protection. Appropriate assistance should be offered. A report is not proof by itself, but the office cannot ignore concrete risks. 3. Temporary protection and court safeguards Taking a child into temporary care under section 42 is possible particularly when the child asks for protection, or urgent danger requires it and the statutory conditions are met. This is a provisional measure. The child must receive an understandable explanation and be able to notify someone they trust. If custodial parents object, the office must promptly return the child when the conditions for return are satisfied, or obtain a family-court decision. The family court decides necessary restrictions on parental custody under section 1666 BGB. Section 1666a generally permits separation only when the danger cannot be averted by other means, including public assistance. Complete removal of custody is not an automatic next step. 4. Example: help with daily conflict A mother seeks help because arguments and school problems are increasing. A joint plan for family support may result. If concrete indications of serious violence emerge, a protection assessment is also required. Accepting support does not replace that assessment, but may contribute to a safe solution. 5. Your next steps - Ask whether the current procedure is advice, an application for assistance or a child-protection assessment. - Record contacts, agreed actions and dates; request a copy of the help plan. - Explain your proposed solutions and the child’s perspective. - For disputes, contact an independent ombuds service or a lawyer; check deadlines in letters immediately. - For immediate danger, do not wait for an appointment: call police on 110, or 112 for a medical emergency. Official sources - SGB VIII § 27 (https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/sgb8/27.html) - SGB VIII § 36 (https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/sgb8/36.html) - SGB VIII § 8a (https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/sgb8/8a.html) - SGB VIII § 42 (https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/sgb8/42.html) - BGB § 1666a (https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bgb/1666a.html) - BGB § 1666 (https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bgb/1666.html) Law checked: 19 October 2026. General information, not individual legal advice. Local responsibilities and the circumstances of each case require separate checking.

Children and teenagers may contact the Jugendamt directly and must be involved in decisions affecting them. An independent ombuds service can help with disputes involving youth welfare services. You do not have to be an adult to ask about your upbringing, development or situation at home. Section 8 SGB VIII gives children and teenagers rights of their own in public youth welfare. At the first contact, explain what you need, how you can be reached safely and what information can remain confidential. 1. A first conversation without your parents You may contact the Jugendamt yourself about any issue concerning upbringing or development. You do not need parental permission to make this initial contact. You are entitled to advice without your custodial parents’ knowledge for as long as telling them would defeat the purpose of the advice. This is a legal condition, not a blanket promise that every later form of assistance can remain secret indefinitely. You could say: “I would like to speak alone first. If my parents are informed now, I cannot explain my problem openly.” An independent youth welfare provider may also provide the advice. Ask for a suitable local counselling service if necessary. 2. Discuss confidentiality first Information entrusted to a professional is protected, particularly under section 65 SGB VIII. However, statutory exceptions exist, including certain child-protection situations. Before sharing sensitive details, ask: Who receives the notes? When would someone else have to be informed? How will I be involved? Nobody should promise absolute secrecy in every circumstance. Agree on a safe way to stay in contact. Say explicitly if someone else might read letters or messages, or overhear callbacks. Ask for understandable language, necessary communication support, or information about interpretation in advance. 3. Participation means more than being present You must be involved, according to your development, in all public youth welfare decisions affecting you. Information must be understandable and accessible. At a help-planning meeting, you can explain your own goals, concerns and objections and ask why a decision is being made. Participation does not, however, mean that every decision legally requires your consent. 4. Independent support in a dispute Ombuds services under section 9a advise young people and families in disputes with the Jugendamt or independent youth welfare providers. They work independently and are not subject to professional instructions from those services. They can explain rights, help prepare meetings and mediate. They do not replace a court or automatically act as your lawyer. Contacting them does not stop an appeal deadline. Example: A 16-year-old feels ignored in a planned change to her support. She can ask for an understandable explanation and participation, and contact an ombuds service to prepare for the next meeting. 5. Prepare your first contact - Write a few sentences about what happened and what you want to change. - Find the Jugendamt on your city or district’s official website; for disputes, use the linked ombuds directory by federal state. - Mention deadlines and have relevant letters ready; initially share only necessary personal details. - Ask about confidentiality, safe contact arrangements and bringing a trusted person. - For immediate danger call police on 110; for a medical emergency call 112. Ombuds advice is not an emergency service. Official sources - SGB VIII § 8 (https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/sgb8/8.html) - SGB VIII § 9a (https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/sgb8/9a.html) - SGB VIII § 65 (https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/sgb8/65.html) - SGB VIII § 36 (https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/sgb8/36.html) - Bundesnetzwerk Ombudschaft: Kontakte (https://www.ombudschaft-jugendhilfe.de/de/topic/6477.ombudsstellen.html) Law checked: 19 October 2026. General information, not individual legal advice. Local responsibilities and the circumstances of each case require separate checking.

A child’s liability and a parent’s possible failure to supervise must be assessed separately. A sign saying “parents are liable for their children” does not replace that legal assessment. A ball breaks a window, a bicycle scratches a car, or a visit ends with a broken object. Knowing that a child caused the damage does not yet tell you who must pay. Civil law requires separate consideration of the child’s liability, the supervisor’s own responsibility and any insurance cover. 1. The age rules in section 828 BGB Children under seven are generally not liable in tort for damage they cause under section 828(1). From seven until their eighteenth birthday, unless a special exception applies, liability depends on whether the child had the understanding needed to recognise their responsibility. The other requirements of a claim, such as those in section 823, must also be met. Damage alone does not automatically establish fault. This is a civil-law question. The age of criminal responsibility cannot simply be applied here. A child too young for criminal responsibility may nevertheless owe compensation if the civil-law requirements are satisfied. 2. Special rules for traffic accidents Section 828(2) gives children aged seven to under ten an additional exception for accidents involving motor vehicles, railways or suspended railways. Intentionally caused injury is excluded. Court decisions require attention to the typical difficulty children face with the particular risks of motorised traffic. Damage to a parked car does not automatically qualify. Neither “under ten never pays” nor “a parked car always means liability” is a reliable rule. 3. When supervisors are personally liable Section 832 concerns a separate duty of the person responsible for supervision by law or contract. They can avoid liability by showing that they provided proper supervision or that the damage would have occurred even with proper supervision. Relevant factors include age, development, known behaviour, surroundings and the particular danger. There is no universal interval for checking on every child in every situation. Parents therefore do not have to pay solely because they are parents. Conversely, a young child’s lack of personal liability does not automatically protect the supervisor. A general liability sign does not change these legal conditions. 4. Example and insurance A six-year-old breaks someone else’s window while playing. The child’s own liability in tort is generally excluded; any liability of the supervisor must be examined separately. Private liability insurance pays according to the policy. Some policies expressly cover damage caused by children who cannot be held liable; others do not. In exceptional circumstances section 829 can also create an equitable compensation obligation, but it is not a general fallback rule. 5. Sensible steps after damage - Help anyone injured first, then objectively record the damage, place, time and witnesses. - Note who was actually supervising and what instructions or checks had been agreed. - Notify your liability insurer promptly and ask it to check cover for the child. - Do not sign an unexamined admission of liability or promise to pay everything. - Seek legal advice for large claims, disputed facts or approaching deadlines. Official sources - BGB § 823 (https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bgb/823.html) - BGB § 828 (https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bgb/828.html) - BGB § 832 (https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bgb/832.html) - BGB § 829 (https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bgb/829.html) - BGH VI ZR 75/07, 11.03.2008 (https://juris.bundesgerichtshof.de/cgi-bin/rechtsprechung/document.py?Art=en&Blank=1.pdf&Datum=2008-3-11&Gericht=bgh&anz=24&nr=43418&pos=14) - BGH VI ZR 199/08, 24.03.2009 (https://juris.bundesgerichtshof.de/cgi-bin/rechtsprechung/document.py?Art=en&Blank=1.pdf&Datum=2009-3-24&Gericht=bgh&anz=25&nr=47880&pos=18) Law checked: 19 October 2026. General information, not individual legal advice. Local responsibilities and the circumstances of each case require separate checking.

Turning 18 does not automatically end a need for support. Sections 41 and 41a SGB VIII cover assistance for young adults, transition planning and follow-up support. Being able to sign your own contracts at 18 does not necessarily mean you can manage everyday life without support. Anyone living in a residential group, foster family or with community-based assistance should plan the next step early. A need for assistance can also be assessed without previous youth welfare involvement; the statutory conditions are what matter. 1. When an entitlement exists Under section 41 SGB VIII, young adults receive suitable and necessary assistance if, and for as long as, their personal development does not ensure self-determined, responsible and independent living. The focus is the individual need for developmental support: for example dealing with authorities, organising daily life reliably or becoming stable enough to live independently. Being in vocational training alone does not automatically establish this entitlement. From adulthood, the young person themselves takes the central role in the entitlement and help planning. Existing support does not necessarily end merely because they turn 18. Its type and extent must, however, match the assessed need. 2. What the age limits actually mean Assistance is generally provided until the twenty-first birthday. In justified individual cases, it should continue for a limited period beyond that age. Section 7 defines young adults as people aged 18 to under 27, but that definition does not create a general entitlement until 27. Conversely, 21 is not an absolute cut-off in every case. Ending assistance does not rule out renewed or continued support where the legal conditions are satisfied. Someone who needs help again after an initially successful move should therefore contact the office again and describe what has changed. 3. Prepare the move between support systems If assistance is to end or not continue, the public youth welfare authority must, starting one year before the end date planned in the help plan, examine whether responsibility may transfer to another social benefits provider. This is a duty to assess, not a promise that every other benefit will be approved. Discuss housing, living costs, health insurance and necessary support together. Other benefits may require separate applications. 4. Make aftercare specific Section 41a provides advice and support to the necessary extent for an appropriate period after assistance ends. The duration and extent should be recorded in the final help plan and reviewed regularly; the youth welfare authority should make regular contact. There is no single statutory number of weeks or months for everyone. Example: A 19-year-old moves from a residential group into a flat. The plan records named contacts, help with official letters and review dates. If a more intensive need later reappears, a renewed section 41 assessment may also be appropriate. 5. Checklist before the next birthday - Explicitly ask the Jugendamt to assess or continue support under section 41; keep the application and evidence of receipt. - Write down specific difficulties, existing abilities and your goals. - Have the transition plan, contacts and aftercare recorded in the help plan. - If refused, request a written decision and check appeal deadlines. - Use independent ombuds advice or legal support if there is a dispute. Official sources - SGB VIII § 41 (https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/sgb8/41.html) - SGB VIII § 41a (https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/sgb8/41a.html) - SGB VIII § 36 (https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/sgb8/36.html) - SGB VIII § 7 (https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/sgb8/7.html) - SGB VIII § 9a (https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/sgb8/9a.html) Law checked: 19 October 2026. General information, not individual legal advice. Local responsibilities and the circumstances of each case require separate checking.