Enhancing Collaborative Efforts and Building Connections

In a bid to address the rising challenges faced by families, children, and young people, the City Youth Office recently held a carrier day to deepen cooperation with its partners in the stationary and ambulatory free youth welfare services.

The event, attended by 35 specialists, was an opportunity to discuss pressing professional issues and find solutions to the complex challenges of youth welfare. Corinna Müller, the new head of the city youth office, welcomed all participants, emphasizing the importance of partnership cooperation in addressing these challenges.

The City Youth Office plays a wide-ranging role, promoting young people's development, supporting parents, and protecting children and young people from dangers. In light of the increasing challenges, the office has been focusing on interdisciplinary and participatory approaches, involving courts, advisers, and social services to ensure faster access to counseling and stronger inclusion of children and young people in procedures.

The Corona pandemic, weakening social cohesion, feelings of "being left behind", and financial hardship have put a heavy strain on families. These issues, along with the constant changes in work due to reforms and changes in the law, have made the task spectrum of the City Youth Office even more demanding.

Recognizing the need for close and trusting cooperation, the participants agreed that a strong axis between the youth offices and institutions of free youth welfare is crucial for mastering the tasks of youth welfare. Continuous cooperation on an equal footing was identified as a crucial factor for the future success of youth welfare.

Successful cooperation is achieved when specialists know each other, have a common understanding of social work, and exchange professional knowledge. Small workshops were held during the carrier day to inform about individual tasks of the youth office, exchange views with specialists, and give feedback on existing cooperations.

The inclusion orientation of youth welfare has been brought into focus in social and political debates as a result of the Children and Youth Strengthening Act (KJSG) passed in 2021. The City Youth Office cooperates with various free youth welfare organizations such as Caritas counseling centers, family counseling offices of the Archdiocese, and child protection associations.

The participants agreed that this one-time meeting should not be the only one, but that daily good cooperation should also be further expanded and deepened through such formats. By working together, the City Youth Office and its partners aim to ensure that every child and young person in the city receives the support they need to thrive.