The amendment to the child and youth welfare law in Upper Austria is on the home stretch

Young adults who have been looked after by child and youth welfare services and are transitioning to an independent lifestyle (care leavers) often need further support to master this step. Otherwise there is a risk of far-reaching consequences – for those affected themselves, but also for the social system. In a long-term exchange between the Upper Austria Social Pedagogy Association, the umbrella organization of KJH facilities, and political decision-makers, a broad consensus was reached across party lines about the usefulness of this measure.

The compromise for care leavers presented by Provincial Councilor Michael Lindner after intensive negotiations is intended to bring about a meaningful improvement for young adults in Upper Austria. Nevertheless, this progress now threatens to fail because of the ÖVP: The Social Pedagogy Upper Austria Association, whose board was invited to provide information at the last meeting of the state parliament subcommittee for inquiries from Upper Austrian members of the state parliament, warns of this.

Urgent appeal to the ÖVP: Don’t create uncertainty in the last few meters!

“The compromise presented by State Councilor Lindner is an essential step in providing young adults with the necessary support in difficult phases of life,” explains chairwoman Julia Keplinger. “The time limit proposed by the ÖVP would not only lead to a deterioration for the young adults affected, but would also increase the administrative burden and impose additional uncertainty on institutions and authorities.” Keplinger is particularly critical of the proposal to limit the new regulation to four years. “That would mean that the more flexible regulation could be eliminated after four years. This means that young people are once again threatened with an uncertain legal framework,” warns Keplinger.

Background: More flexible support for care leavers

It is already possible to provide care leavers with selective support on their way to an independent adult life up to a maximum of 21 years of age. The main innovation concerns the opportunity to extend parental support even if it was no longer valid on the young adult’s 18th birthday. It is therefore a question of correcting a senselessly rigid legal regulation, which in practice has repeatedly presented challenges to both young adults and authorities. The practical and flexible option that is intended to be created for the district administrative authorities by the legal change proposed by LR Lindner is now to be restricted and limited to four years.

The planned changes would make it easier for young people to lead an independent and stable adult life. The Upper Austria Social Pedagogy Association urgently appeals to the ÖVP not to block this progress with an unnecessary time limit and to create a clear, long-term solution for care leavers.

“Just as parents do not break off contact with their children when they turn 18, care leavers in difficult phases of life should also have the opportunity to continue to receive selective help and support from child and youth welfare,” Keplinger said We would like to see even more comprehensive improvements for care leavers in facilities, but the proposal presented by State Councilor Lindner is an important step in the right direction.”