1. JugendamtsleiterHermann Scharwächter Topic: Procedural Standards in cases of Domestic Violence

2. JugendamtsleiterHermann Scharwächter The parents are advised by the Youth Welfare Office that this information has been passed on. Is applicable in cases that have given rise to police action due to domestic violence: 1st Step: Police action The police check whether there are any children/juveniles living in the family. If there are, the Youth Welfare Office is informed immediately via fax by the department conducting investigations.

3. JugendamtsleiterHermann Scharwächter The Youth Welfare Office issues recommendations to the parents/family for more intensive counselling and/or possible support options. 2nd Step The Youth Welfare Office contacts the family with the aim of meeting the parents, getting to know the mental/emotional situation of the children, assessing the wellbeing of the children and, as a rule, of clarifying the need for support together with the parents. Establishing contact has top priority for the Youth Welfare Office and is carried out immediately. If any expulsion has taken place, the expelled parent is asked to attend a discussion. It is necessary to raise the awareness of both parents for the situation, one which is generally very depressive for the children.

4. JugendamtsleiterHermann Scharwächter It should be examined whether the Youth Welfare Office is to assume a controlling role during the counselling process in the sense of a monitoring function. In such cases, cooperation agreements between the Youth Welfare Office and the counselling centre in question can be implemented to define the specific joint work. In the event that more than one counselling centre is involved with a single family, it is essential to establish close cooperation (case conference). 3rd Step When parents and children make contact to the counselling centres. In cases in which the Youth Welfare Office sees any risk for the welfare of children so that guidance for the parents / family is considered useful (in agreement with the parents), the Youth Welfare Office establishes contact to the counselling centres.