Germany debates child and youth welfare structural reform

The German Bundestag is debating a structural reform of child and youth welfare services aimed at making support more modern, preventive, and inclusive. The proposed legislation seeks to better align services with the realities of family life.

A central point of contention involves the future of school assistance for children with disabilities. Federal Family Minister Karin Prien has suggested a shift toward ‘pool solutions,’ where multiple children share care services rather than relying solely on individual assistance. This approach aims to manage rising costs and complex needs while promoting social integration, though Prien noted that individual assistance must remain available for those with specific requirements.

The SPD parliamentary group has expressed concerns regarding the reform, specifically criticizing the proposed priority of infrastructure and standard offerings over individual educational support. They warned that family centers and counseling should not be used as a ‘savings model’ and emphasized the importance of maintaining inclusive, joint responsibility for all children and youth within the welfare system.