The reform of child and youth welfare is up for decision in the federal cabinet. The Social Association of Germany (SoVD) has expressed concerns, particularly regarding the planned stronger organization of school assistance as a group offer.
Family Minister Karin Prien (CDU) aims to make the assistance simpler and more effective while also cutting costs. According to information from the news agency dpa, the original draft has already been watered down and reduced to a first reform package.
The SoVD supports the prospect of fewer bureaucratic hurdles for parents but stresses that the logic of savings must not become the hidden main goal of a system that is actually meant to ensure participation. According to the Federal Statistical Office, total spending on child and youth welfare has risen to 78.8 billion euros, with assistance for children with disabilities accounting for only a small part of that.
The reform envisions that assistance for children and young people with support needs in daycare or school will be organized as group offers wherever possible. If such an offer is not available locally, the individual entitlement to one-on-one assistance remains. Engelmeier emphasized that shared use of assistance is not suitable for all children.
Source: www.zeit.de
