Parenting in the family; applying for care in a shared living arrangement for mothers/fathers and children

Shared care is particularly suitable for young mothers or fathers who are still unsure about how to care for their children and outpatient help is not sufficient.

Mothers, but also fathers, who have to look after a child under the age of 6 on their own, can be cared for together with the child if and for as long as they need support in caring for and bringing up the child due to their personal development.

The care also includes older siblings if the mother or father has to care for them alone. Care includes services that take equal account of the needs of the mother or father, the child and its siblings.

A pregnant woman can also be cared for in this form of accommodation before the child is born. The mother or father can start or continue school or vocational training or take up employment.

The benefit can also cover the necessary maintenance of the person being cared for and medical assistance.

The living situation of the family is decisive in the selection and organization of the individual living arrangements. The following are possible

• Groups in a mother/father and child home
• Apartments in the mother/father and child home
• residential groups outside of homes
• Shared flats
• apartment buildings
• Assisted individual apartments

Care is based on the principle of helping people to help themselves: through guidance and advice, mothers and fathers should be able to live independently and responsibly with their children and cope with everyday life.

You are a single parent looking after a child under the age of 6 or are pregnant and need help with care and support.

You must submit an informal application for residential care for mothers/fathers and children to the responsible youth welfare office.

The youth welfare office will examine your application and make a decision.

It will send you suggestions for suitable facilities. You then decide on a facility.

The child and its parents are required to pay the costs of the measure depending on their financial circumstances.