Vienna Children's and Youth Ombuds-Office

The Children's and Youth Ombuds-Office is a facility established by the City of Vienna for the protection of children’s and young people’s interests. The Ombuds-Office is an independent institution and is available to all children and young people. In addition, concerned parents, neighbours, teachers and institutions may also approach the Office with any relevant problems.

Tasks - Children's and Youth Ombuds-Office

• Consultation services for minors, persons having parental power and legal representatives in all matters concerning the status of minors and duties of the persons having parental power
• Mediating differences of opinion and disputes concerning care and upbringing
• Making recommendations regarding the interests of children and youth
• Appraising and initiating legal provisions and regulations concerning the interests of children and youth
• Providing information on the rights, duties and interests of children and youth, as well as on the tasks of the Children's and Youth Ombuds-Office

The Children's and Youth Ombuds-Office is not directly linked to other authorities, a fact which makes clients less afraid to approach the Office for help.

Contact

• Wiener Kinder- und Jugendanwaltschaft (KJA)
• 1030 Vienna, Modecenterstrasse 14, block C, 4th floor
  Public transport information
• Phone: +43 1 7077000
• Fax: +43 1 4000-99-85905
• E-Mail: post@jugendanwalt.wien.gv.at

Working principles

Clients are entitled to anonymous consultation services and assistance. These services are provided over the telephone or during personal interviews. It is only with concrete support and interventions for a child or young person that anonymity has to be dropped. This is when the Ombuds-Office contacts other institutions in the interest of the young person concerned. All members of staff of the Ombuds-Office are sworn to secrecy.

Free of charge

The costs for the Children's and Youth Ombuds-Office are borne by the City Administration. Children, young people and adults who turn to the Office for help, do not have to pay any fees on their own account.

Key areas

• Children’s Rights and Protection (after the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child)
• Physical, psychological and structural violence against children and young people
• Problems in School or work place, for instance bullying
• Family matters (pocket money and so forth)
• Children's and young people's right to have a say in general matters
• General discrimination of children and young people before the law (as in court)
• Coordination of the Viennese Network for Deradicalisation and Prevention
• Monitoring of sheltered accommodation for children and young people and homes for unaccompanied underage refugees