Focus topics

From nuclear families to patchwork and rainbow families or social parenthood: today, children and young people grow up with a variety of family and living arrangements. Structurally, childhood has become shorter and adolescence longer. Peer groups and new media have become increasingly important, as have the rising numbers of school and family support services. The demands placed on adolescents have increased. Young people find themselves confronted with vulnerability and precarity. The Institute addresses the issues resulting from these trends.

If the protection of children, young people and vulnerable adults cannot be ensured in any other way, the state intervenes in a protective and empowering manner. In this interdisciplinary field, social workers assume responsibility, for example as members of the child and adult protection authorities (KESB). They are also responsible for a large proportion of the clarifications and interventions carried out. The field of activity of social workers also includes other organisations that are involved in child and adult protection, including social services and child and youth welfare centres. Current research results and methodological skills are passed on through continuing education and teaching. Historical aspects of research are examined and practice-oriented questions related to the current situation are brought to the forefront.

What socio-pedagogical services and measures can be used to ensure and promote the well-being, will and rights of minors? How do institutions react to child welfare risks? These are the guiding questions of this focus topic. Traditional measures such as home education, foster care and adoption, as well as outpatient services such as socio-pedagogical family support, also belong in this context. Throughout the assistance process, the participation of the children, young people, families of origin and foster families concerned is always of particular interest.