MA 11, Kinder- und Jugendhilfe

The Child and Youth Welfare Service in Vienna (Kinder- und Jugendhilfe, MA 11) advocates for the rights of children and young people and supports families in finding appropriate solutions for their problems. The department focuses on preventive measures and offers a wide range of information, counselling, advice and support for children, young people and families. It has also the obligation and right to interfere in cases of violence against children and young people and to protect them from further violence. In this cases it provides out-of-home care for these children in crises centres, in small group homes or with (crisis) foster parents. In every small goup home all over Vienna is place for up to eight children; they receive mid- to long-term care from a team of at least 4 social pedagogs. In the best case the family of origin stays in contact and as soon as possible the children returns home. During the stay out of home the children and young people need a safe and structured everyday life with an attitude towards them of respect and understanding in a consequent and trusting way. The care includes support in daily routine, housework, leisure activities, learning and especially finding appropriate solutions in situations of escalation and crises. The groups are busy 7/24 all over the year. Social pedagogs and children together make holidays in summer, sometimes in winter, . You as a volunteer have the possibility to be a supporting part of this care.