Child and youth welfare facilities Exemplary participation instruments The residents of a shared accommodation in Vienna enjoy far more participation than average. They exercise co-determination regarding food, the choice of holiday destination and in everyday matters. The shared accommodation excels thanks to its special concept and high pedagogical aspirations that are implemented in day-to-day life. Successful parental work On a monitoring visit to a residential group in Lower Austria, Commission 6 evaluated the focus of the facility on intensive work with the parents very positively. In addition to the overall willingness to cooperate by all involved, successful parental work needs a professional pedagogical attitude on the part of the staff who understand the family of origin as an important cooperation and parenting partner even during the out-of-home care. Structured work with the complete family system supports the parents in recognising their resources and opportunities in order to be able to cope with their own lives but also life together with their children again. In fact, minors in the visited facility are released home after one or two years on average. The socio-pedagogical staff has special training in family outreach work. 83