Child and youth welfare facilities suggested anchoring the right to the best possible quality in out-of-home accommodation in the Federal Constitution. The child and youth welfare statistics and the figures provided to the Laender indicate that despite the Federal Children’s and Youth Service Act (BundesKinder- und Jugendhilfegesetz) 2013 it has not been possible to fulfil the recommendation of the UN Committee. Even though the harmonisation of the minimum standards in child and youth welfare was the intention behind this federal fundamental act, there are still differing areas of focus in out-ofhome care. These have considerable effects on the socio-pedagogical practice in facilities in the individual Laender and affect the development as well as the living conditions of the minors. Harmonisation of standards not achieved In 2016, 13,646 children and adolescents were living out of home throughout Austria (7,453 boys and 6,193 girls). Figures for 2017 are not yet available. In total, 8,423 minors live in socio-pedagogical facilities; 5,162 are cared for by foster parents. Since the coming into effect of the Federal Children’s and Youth Service Act 2013 and the implementing laws in the Laender, there has been an increase in preventive support and more outpatient child and youth facilities. Nevertheless, the number of children and adolescents in full residential care is growing. The percentage of children and adolescents who live out of home in relation to the total population varies greatly from Land to Land. 8,423 children in sociopedagogical facilities Percentage of out-of-home children and adolescents by Land* Every 100th child in Vienna and Styria does not live with parents 1,2 1,0 0.90 0.92 Car Vbg 1.05 1.06 Sty V 0.78 0,8 0.65 0.70 0.72 0.72 UA Bgld Sbg 0,6 0,4 0,2 0,0 T Legend: T = Tyrol UA = Upper Austria Bgld = Burgenland Sbg = Salzburg LA = Lower Austria Car = Carinthia LA Vbg = Vorarlberg Sty = Styria V = Vienna *Source: STATISTIK AUSTRIA, Child and youth welfare statistics 2016 63