Question 258
Was darf das Jugendamt in Deutschland?What is the youth welfare office allowed to do in Germany?
Options
- Es entscheidet, welche Schule das Kind besucht.It decides which school the child attends.
- Es kann ein Kind, das geschlagen wird oder hungern muss, aus der Familie nehmen.It can remove a child who is being hit or is starving from the family.
- Es bezahlt das Kindergeld an die Eltern.It pays child benefits to the parents.
- Es kontrolliert, ob das Kind einen Kindergarten besucht.It checks whether the child attends kindergarten.
Explanation
If a child is seriously endangered by abuse or neglect, the Jugendamt can take the child into protective custody (§42 SGB VIII) and place it in a safe environment. School choice, child benefit payments and kindergarten attendance fall under different authorities. This power ensures the child’s right to physical and emotional integrity (Article 2 GG).
Practice on the go: