Mediation service at the Jugendamt (Youth Welfare Office) when parents separate

Title:
Mediation Services at the Jugendamt in Germany: Supporting Families After Separation

When parents separate in Germany, the mediation service at the Jugendamt (Mediationsstelle beim Jugendamt) plays an important role in supporting the family and safeguarding the child’s best interests. The main aim is to reach peaceful, child-centred solutions and to provide stability without immediately going to court.

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What is the mediation unit (Mediationsstelle) at the Jugendamt?

The mediation unit is a specialised department within the Jugendamt, often referred to as:

• Allgemeiner Sozialer Dienst (ASD) – General Social Service

• Fachdienst Trennung und Scheidung – Specialist service for separation and divorce

It is staffed by social workers and social pedagogues who are trained in family mediation (Familienmediation). They work neutrally and help both parents manage conflicts and find agreements that serve the child’s welfare.

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When do parents turn to this service?

Parents can contact the mediation unit in many situations during or after a separation, in particular when it comes to:

• organising parental custody (Sorgerecht)

• arranging contact and visitation rights (Umgangsrecht)

• questions about moving or travelling with the child

• communication problems between the parents

• support before or during proceedings at the family court (Familiengericht)

Ideally, the Jugendamt should be involved at an early stage, before conflicts escalate further.

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What services does the Jugendamt mediation unit offer?

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Is mediation mandatory?

• Mediation at the Jugendamt is not legally mandatory,
  but it is strongly recommended by many family courts.

• In some cases, the court may ask for proof that the parents have tried mediation before making a formal decision.

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Is the service free of charge?

Yes.
The services of the Jugendamt mediation unit are generally free of charge for all families living within the local Jugendamt’s area of responsibility.

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How can parents apply or book an appointment?

• Contact your local Jugendamt by phone or e-mail.

• Ask specifically for an appointment with the department
  “Trennung/Scheidung” (separation/divorce) or “Beratung Umgangsrecht” (contact rights counselling).

• Parents can:

  • attend together, or

  • initially have separate counselling sessions.

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Practical example

A mother and father have separated and share a 6-year-old daughter. There is a conflict about:

• where the child should primarily live, and

• how many days of contact the other parent should have.

The Jugendamt might suggest a gradual plan, for example:

• The child’s main residence is with the mother,
  with weekly visits to the father.

• The professionals observe the child’s behaviour and wellbeing over the first months.

• The arrangement is adjusted depending on how the child copes and how cooperative the parents are.

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Important tip

• Courts generally view it positively when parents cooperate with the Jugendamt and make an effort to find agreements themselves.

• The results of mediation can be written down in a formal
  contact agreement (Umgangsvereinbarung) and submitted to the family court for approval.

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The editorial team of this website aims to provide accurate information based on intensive research and multiple sources. Nevertheless, errors may occur or some details may be incomplete or not finally confirmed. Please treat the information in this article as an initial guide only and always contact the competent authorities and professional advisory services for binding and up-to-date information.