42 – Rechtliche Grundlagen

The life and care of children are regulated in a multitude of laws and legal prescriptions. The German fundamental law defines the legal status of children and the care and custody requirements of the parents. Social paediatric centres provide early promotion, rehabilitation and social supports. From a civil law perspective, parents’ responsibilities are outlined and the right for a child's education without resorting to force is laid down. Criminal law deals, amongst others, with cases of physical and sexual abuse. Many other legal regulations cover the support and promotion for the care and supervision of children. The only legal duty for children is for school attendance. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of a Child and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability are becoming more important for many aspects of life, not limited only to school and/or education.