More detailed information on the development and prospects for expansion is available in the report titled “School Social Work in Wiesbaden’s Elementary Schools.” The report can be downloaded at www.wiesbaden.de/leben-in-wiesbaden/gesellschaft-soziales/soziale-dienste/Schulsozialarbeit-Kinder (opens in a new tab).

“For 35 years, school social work has reliably supported children and their families in their everyday school life and has become an indispensable part of the child and youth welfare system,” says Patricia Becher, Head of Social Affairs. “Early support is particularly important, especially in elementary schools. School social work offers children stability and guidance, supports parents, and, together with teachers, helps make school a place where everyone can feel comfortable.”

The importance of school social work has increased significantly in recent years. With the enshrinement of Section 13a of SGB VIII, its role as a mandatory service of youth welfare has also been legally strengthened since 2021. School social work is indispensable today, particularly in elementary schools in socially disadvantaged areas.

The program began in 1990 with the “Supervised Elementary School (BGS),” which combines all-day care with elements of school social work. Seventeen elementary schools in Wiesbaden are now participating in the program. Since the 2018/19 school year, the “School Social Work for All” concept has also been gradually expanded. This is scheduled to be completed at all existing BGS locations by the 2027/28 school year. “This allows us to achieve a key goal there: all children have access to the services and support provided by school social work,” said Becher.

Looking to the future, the Social Affairs Commissioner continues to view school social work as a reliable point of contact within the school environment—for children, parents, and the entire school community. She is all the more pleased that the Social Affairs Committee, on Wednesday, May 6, took note of the report favorably and instructed her department to request additional funding for three more schools: the Johannes-Maaß-Schule, the Karl-Gärtner-Schule, and the Otto-Stückrath-Schule. These locations also exhibit moderate to high social need, and the child poverty rate there is significantly above the city average.