Voluntary guardianship is a valuable way of helping children and young people in difficult life situations and giving them a voice. Volunteer guardians take on a responsible and at the same time fulfilling task: they represent the interests of children and young people whose biological parents are unable to take on this responsibility.

In the Börde district, the support provided by volunteer guardians is an important part of youth welfare. With your commitment, you can make a positive difference in the life of a child.

Honorary guardians take on the legal representation of a child or young person if their parents are unable to look after their child's welfare for legal, health or personal reasons. The guardian makes important decisions in the following areas:

• Education: Choice of school or educational pathways,
• Health: consent to medical treatment,
• Everyday life: Arrangements for residence and leisure activities,
• Authorities: Representation vis-à-vis authorities and institutions.

The focus is always on the well-being and needs of the child.

Anyone who is willing to take on responsibility and work for the welfare of a child can become a volunteer guardian. Important requirements are:

• Empathy and communication skills: They should be able to respond to the child's needs and build trust.
• Time and commitment: A guardian should be regularly available for the child and schedule time for discussions, visits and decisions.
• Sense of responsibility: The job requires a willingness to take on legal and personal responsibility.
• Cooperation: Close cooperation with the youth welfare office and other institutions involved is essential.

No special professional qualifications are required. What is more important is a stable personality, an interest in the child's life situation and a willingness to familiarize yourself with legal and organizational issues.

As a guardian, you represent the child in all important matters and ensure that they receive the best possible support. Specific tasks include:

1. Personal contact: Regular meetings with the child to understand their needs, wishes and concerns.
2. Making decisions: Taking responsibility for important areas of life such as school, medical care and leisure activities.
3. Legal representation: Protecting the child's rights in dealings with authorities, courts and other institutions.
4. Cooperation: Close coordination with the youth welfare office, the foster family or other caregivers of the child.

The aim is to provide the child with stable, supportive and nurturing care.

If you are interested in volunteer guardianship, you can obtain non-binding information from the youth welfare office of the Börde district. The procedure is as follows:

1. Initial interview: In a personal interview, you will learn more about the requirements and the process.
2. Suitability check: Your personal requirements will be checked in interviews and, if necessary, by means of an extended criminal record check.
3. Preparation: You will take part in training courses to prepare you for your tasks.
4. Assignment of a child: After a successful aptitude test, you will be matched with a child or young person who suits you.