Jürgen Dusel criticizes German child and youth welfare reform draft

The German Federal Cabinet has approved a draft for the first structural reform of child and youth welfare. Jürgen Dusel, the Federal Commissioner for the Concerns of People with Disabilities, has sharply criticized the proposal, arguing that it fails to reduce bureaucracy as intended.

Dusel claims the draft cements administrative complexity by splitting responsibilities between youth welfare offices and social welfare offices. This division forces families to navigate different agencies depending on the specific type of disability their child has. He noted that a merger of these responsibilities would provide much-needed relief and clarity for families.

The proposed reform lacks a legal mandate to unify these responsibilities, which was a key component of the ‘inclusive solution’ promised in the 2021 Youth Strengthening Act. Instead, the draft includes a voluntary pilot clause, allowing municipalities to apply to state governments to implement the unified approach.