Reorganizing school social work in North Rhine-Westphalia, securing long-term financial support
In North Rhine-Westphalia, the role of school social work is increasingly crucial in bridging the gap between youth social work and education. School social workers play an essential part in identifying and addressing potential problems among students, thereby promoting equal opportunities in the education system. However, their existence in daily school life remains somewhat shadowy, and their funding comes from three sources: municipal youth welfare, state funds for specific school forms, and federal funds from the Education and Participation Package (BuT).
Sonja Bongers, the Chairperson of the SPD city council fraction and a member of the North Rhine-Westphalia state parliament, has called for the state government to secure permanent funding for school social work. Bongers emphasises the need for a joint and holistic approach by teachers, pedagogical specialists, and social workers in addressing the diverse and changing challenges for children and young people.
The government authority responsible for the political steering of school social work in North Rhine-Westphalia is the Ministry of Children, Family, Refugees and Integration (Ministerium fΓΌr Kinder, Familie, FlΓΌchtlinge und Integration NRW). The permanent financing of school social work is ensured through state budget allocations and cooperative agreements between state and municipalities to guarantee continuity and sustainability of funding. Specific frameworks and networks within the NRW education system support these efforts to embed school social work structurally and financially long-term.
School social work is more than just a tool for helping financially disadvantaged students participate in school and extracurricular activities; it is an important preventive measure that identifies and addresses social problems of children and young people early on. The increasing role of school as a central hub of children's and young people's lives highlights the importance of school social work.
Permanent fixed-term contracts create a climate of job insecurity for school social workers, which is a concern for Bongers. She underscores the importance of secure funding for school social work to ensure its effectiveness in promoting equal opportunities and providing pedagogical support. The state government is urged to take action to secure the permanent funding of school social work and clarify its responsible department.
The tasks expected of schools today go beyond mere knowledge transfer, requiring pedagogical support for children and young people from all social and societal backgrounds. School social work is essential for this pedagogical support, and its role in enabling children and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to fully participate in school life cannot be overstated.
In conclusion, securing permanent funding for school social work is vital for the future of education in North Rhine-Westphalia. By ensuring the stability and security of this crucial link between youth social work and school, the state government can help to create a more equitable and supportive educational environment for all students.
