On-call caregiver

There are cases where it becomes unsafe for a child to be in his biological family, so when a child is taken from an unsafe environment, the aim is to immediately transfer him to an environment close to his family, where he will receive warmth and care. Usually, these would be close relatives (e.g. grandparents, adult siblings) or emotionally close people (e.g. godparents). However, sometimes such relatives are not available or cannot provide a safe environment and/or are unable to take proper care of the child. In such cases, there is a need for on-call caregivers who have completed special training and know how to provide the child with emotional and physical security, even though they are not related to the child. In such environment, the child experiences less stress until the family receives support from social workers and it becomes safe to return home, or until a suitable long-term guardian or adoptive parents are found.

What are the duties of the on-call caregiver?

The primary responsibility of the on-call caregiver is to take care of the child physically and emotionally, provide a safe environment for the child in the family. Since the on-call caregiver works under an individual activity certificate and enters into a cooperation agreement with the Caregivers’ Centre, the child’s representative is the Caregivers’ Centre. In turn, it provides and organises social services, provides full assistance to the child and the on-call caregiver, and cooperates with specialists who help the child’s biological parents to return the child to his family.

How many children may be looked after by an on-call caregiver?

An on-call caregiver may look after several, but not more than three children at the same time. The number of children in care may be higher in exceptional cases, when siblings are not separated and this is coordinated with the Caregivers’ Centre and the on-call caregiver. If the family of the person who wants to be an on-call caregiver already has children, the maximum possible number of children is 6.

Are any remuneration and benefits for childcare paid?

The on-call caregiver acts on the basis of an individual activity certificate. The Caregivers’ Centre pays to the on-call caregiver a remuneration for the entire duration of the mutual agreement, even in cases where the Caregivers’ Centre does not transfer the child(ren) to the on-call caregiver. In such case, the remuneration amounts to 1 MMW (minimum monthly wage) per month. The remuneration is increased when the on-call caregiver accepts a child(ren) into their family, and child guardianship (custody) benefits are also transferred.

Who can become an on-call caregiver?

You can become an on-call caregiver if you are already 21 but no more than 65 years old. If you are 65 or older, you can take care of a child up to 10 years old. Close relatives may become guardians when they reach the age of 18. It is mandatory to have at least a secondary education.

Other important requirements also apply: you must have full legal capacity, you have never had a child separated from you, your parental authority has never been restricted or your child caregiving powers have never been terminated. You must be in good health and have no other legal grounds that would prevent you from care of the children.

What is the difference between the on-call caregiver from the permanent caregiver?

The on-call caregiver, who takes care of the child, can take care of the child in crisis cases (up to 3 months), when he needs to be placed in a safe environment urgently, at any time of the day. In comparison, a permanent caregiver (custodian) takes care of a child for more than 12 months (often until adulthood).

What is the remuneration for the work of an on-call caregiver?

 

Remuneration for on-call caregivers, irrespective of the number of children actually cared for	EUR 1,260
Remuneration to an on-call caregiver who can accept 3 or more children in crisis situations at any time of the day and provide accommodation for the children until establishment of temporary guardianship, irrespective of the number of children actually cared for	EUR 2,520
Remuneration for each child actually cared for between 1 and 12 years of age	EUR 840
Remuneration for each baby, adolescent from 12 years of age, disabled child actually cared for	EUR 1,260
Additional benefit for each child actually cared for between the 1 and 3 years of age	EUR 420
Assistance in cash for each child actually cared for	1 child – EUR 147 2 children – EUR 245   3 children – EUR 392   For each child up to 3 years old – EUR 49 for each child
Child guardianship (custody) benefit	EUR 254.80 (up to 6 years) EUR 294 (from 6 to 12 years)   EUR 318.50 (from 12 to 18 years)
Benefit for children (child money)	EUR 87.75
An on-call caregiver who simultaneously takes care of 3 (and in exceptional cases when siblings are not separated – more children) is additionally awarded three basic social benefits (EUR 147) for each child care for in the family per month