"School Social Work Realignment in North Rhine-Westphalia and Guaranteeing Long-Term Financing"
School social work plays a crucial role in addressing the growing needs of children and young people in modern education, particularly in an increasingly complex educational environment. This vital component is funded from three sources: municipal youth welfare, state funds for specific school forms, and federal funds under the Education and Participation Package (BuT), although the latter has been replaced by state funds since the abolition of federal funding by the former red-green state government.
However, the text suggests that no clear institution within the North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) government is evidently responsible for the political steering of school social work, indicating ambiguity about which institution holds this responsibility. This lack of clarity can potentially impact the effectiveness and sustainability of school social work services.
School social workers in NRW lead a relatively shadowy existence in daily school life, providing support for children and young people in various aspects of their lives. They perform important prevention work, addressing social problems early on and acting as an important tool for promoting equal opportunities in the education system. School social work is also considered an important tool for enabling children and young people from financially disadvantaged families to participate in both in-school and out-of-school activities.
The tasks schools are expected to fulfill today go beyond mere knowledge transfer and require pedagogical support of children and young people from all social and societal backgrounds. This support is crucial in making school a central part of children's and young people's lives. The role of school social work in early intervention and prevention of social problems cannot be overstated.
Permanent fixed-term contracts create a climate of professional insecurity for school social workers, which is a concern raised by Sonja Bongers, the Chair of the SPD City Council fraction and a member of the North Rhine-Westphalia State Parliament. Bongers calls for the state government to take action to ensure the permanence of school social work positions. Permanent funding for school social work also needs to be regulated to provide stability and long-term planning for this essential service.
With the amount of time children and young people spend at school each day increasing due to open extended day offers, school social work provides offers of youth welfare directly to students on site at schools. This convenience and accessibility are essential for ensuring that children and young people receive the support they need when they need it.
In conclusion, school social work is a vital tool for addressing the complex needs of children and young people in modern education. Its integration into institutions is necessary for ensuring its sustainability and effectiveness. The state government must take action to clarify its role in the political steering of school social work and to provide permanent funding for this essential service.
