CHILD AND YOUTH WELFARE FACILITIES This imposes a heavy burden on them, especially in view of the dual role they take on, which can be problematical from a therapeutic perspective. Only two special groups can work with an additional therapist. In the other groups one-to-one sessions can only be offered at longer intervals on account of the therapists’ limited capacities. One therapist, for instance, told the Joint Commission that she could only offer one-to-one sessions for between 15 mins and a maximum of 45 mins every two weeks. The Joint Commission recommends hiring additional therapists in order to keep the role of head of department and therapist separate and to be able to offer more one-toone sessions. Each girl should be offered at least one hour of one-to-one therapy a week. Response: The supervisory authority’s operating licence provides for 3 1/4 hours of therapeutic support and promotion per week per girl in the Borderline Group and the Trauma Therapy Group, which are to be provided by graduate psychologists. The girls in the other groups are each given 2 1/3 hours per week. The specialist services thus provide considerably more hours of support than is recommended by the Joint Commission (at least one hour of one-to-one therapy per girl and week). The issue of the exact distribution of management functions and specialist tasks is being discussed intensively in further meetings between the supervisory authority and the operator of Gauting Home for Girls in order to avoid the confusion caused by overlapping tasks and to guarantee that the therapeutic offers provided for in the operating licence can be delivered. The girls accommodated in Gauting Home for Girls can approach the head of the facility or members of staff in the facility with any grievances they have, but there is no external means of lodging complaints. The Joint Commission recommends setting up an external complaints system, for example in the form of an ombudsperson. The Joint Commission was pleased to learn from the head of the facility that this is already being discussed. Response: The operator of the girls’ home is currently clarifying whether the former deputy head will take over the role of external complaints manager. In addition, a notice will be hung on the notice boards in all the groups listing the name, address and telephone number of the competent member of the supervisory authority. the closed group as a temporary measure pursuant to sections 42 and 43 of the Eighth Book of the Social Code. The Clearing House can accommodate a total of six in the closed wing and was under full occupancy at the time of the inspection visit. The Joint Commission inspected the closed wing, including the rooms, sanitary facilities, group rooms and kitchen, plus the time-out room. It held meetings with the head of the facility, with a psychological psychotherapist and a teacher. In addition, it spoke with three children and juveniles in the facility. 6.2.1 – Positive findings The facility makes a very good overall impression. The residential groups were furnished in a very homely and friendly manner; the rooms were large enough, light and appropriately furnished. The Joint Commission would like to make special mention of the highly structured, clear pedagogical/ therapeutic concept the facility applies, which it was impressed with. The Clearing House also has sufficient staff. This means that treatment can be tailored to specific disorders. The relatively short period of time the children and juveniles spend in the facility (six to eight months) is obviously used well. Cooperation with the psychiatric out-patient clinic and the psychiatric hospital works very well according to the convincing description of the head of the facility. The Joint Commission regards as particularly positive the fact that the time-out room is only used for very short periods of time (a few minutes) and the children and juveniles placed in the room are kept under constant observation. The size of the room alone does not permit it to be used for longer periods or even overnight. It is not possible to lie down in the room. 6.2.2 – Recommendations of the Joint Commission and response of the Bavarian Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, Families and Women Information regarding applicable rules (house rules, group rules, sanctions) and the rights and duties of the children and juveniles accommodated in the facility should be available in writing and they should be readily accessible. In addition, the information should be written in clear, friendly and polite language which is age-appropriate. The children and juveniles accommodated in Würzburg Clearing House were aware of the house rules and possible sanctions, but they did not have access to them in written form. The Joint Commission would like to point out the positive example of the list of rights available in Gauting 6.2 – VISIT TO WÜRZBURG CLEARING HOUSE IN 2012 The Joint Commission visited Würzburg Clearing House on 29 November 2012. The Clearing House is responsible for children and juveniles aged between 10 to 15 years against whom a court order has been issued pursuant to section 1631b of the German Civil Code. In addition, children and juveniles can be admitted to 92