Enhancing Collaborative Efforts and Interconnections

In a recent event, the City Youth Office welcomed 35 specialists for a Carrier Day aimed at strengthening partnerships in the field of free youth welfare. The new head of the City Youth Office, Corinna Müller, opened the day by welcoming all participants.

Müller highlighted the broad task spectrum of the youth office, which includes addressing challenges faced by families, children, and young people. She emphasized the importance of partnership cooperation for successful social work, stating that close and trusting cooperation between youth offices and institutions of free youth welfare is crucial for mastering the tasks of youth welfare.

The challenges for child and youth welfare are increasing, not only due to a shortage of skilled workers, but also due to constant changes in work through reforms and changes in the law. Müller mentioned that the Corona pandemic has brought families and young people to their limits, further exacerbating these challenges.

During the Carrier Day, participants were able to inform themselves about individual tasks of the youth office, exchange views with specialists, or give feedback on existing cooperations. Müller stressed the importance of specialists having a common understanding of social work for children, young people, families, and young adults.

The institutions of free youth welfare that the City Youth Office should regularly exchange with to successfully address challenges in the youth welfare network include specialized providers like interkular gGmbH (supporting young refugee girls and women), the Foundation Waisenhaus (offering care for children and youth without parental support), and organizations such as CJD Baden-Württemberg (providing diverse youth aid including educational and residential services). Collaboration with interest groups for youth in care (Care Leaver initiatives) and professional organizations like the International Society for Educational Assistance (IGfH) is also important for comprehensive youth support.

Both sides, youth offices and institutions of free youth welfare, should form a strong axis for the future success of youth welfare. The participants agreed that this one-time meeting should not be the end, but that everyday good cooperation should also be further expanded and deepened through such formats. Müller stated that continuous cooperation on an equal footing will benefit everyone who needs support in youth welfare.

Müller also mentioned that weakening social cohesion, the feeling of "being left behind", and concrete problems like financial hardship put a heavy strain on families. She emphasized the City Youth Office's role in promoting youth development, supporting parents, and protecting children and young people, and one of the recent changes in focus is the inclusive orientation of youth welfare, as part of the Children and Youth Strengthening Act (KJSG) passed in 2021.

The City Youth Office is committed to strengthening partnerships in the field of free youth welfare and looks forward to continuing these collaborations for the benefit of all those who rely on their support.