Protection mandate in the event of child endangerment

"If the youth welfare office becomes aware of significant indications that the welfare of a child or young person is at risk, it must assess the risk of danger in cooperation with several professionals. Insofar as the effective protection of this child or young person is not called into question, the youth welfare office must involve the legal guardians and the child or young person in the risk assessment and, if this is necessary according to professional judgment [...] If the youth welfare office considers it appropriate and necessary to provide assistance to avert the risk, it must offer this to the legal guardians." (Section 8a of the German Social Code (SGB) Book Eight (VIII): Child and Youth Welfare) 

Educational professionals, but also teachers, doctors and midwives, for example, i.e. anyone who works with children and young people, have the opportunity to seek advice from a child protection specialist. This is particularly helpful if it is not possible to directly assess whether there is an acute risk to the child's welfare.

The pilgrimage town of Kevelaer offers an anonymous consultation (i.e. the name of the family and the child is not mentioned during the consultation) by a certified child protection specialist. Together with the inquiring professionals and institutions, they will consider whether there could be a risk to the child's welfare and what further steps should be taken.

If this reveals that the situation is an acute risk to the child's welfare, the "General SocialService" of the youth welfare office must be informed by the specialist or institution. The "General Social Service" will proceed according to a defined procedure in order to protect the welfare of the child or young person and avert acute danger.