The Social Association VdK has expressed strong concerns that the proposed reform of child and youth welfare could negatively impact the families it serves. The VdK President, Verena Bentele, told the “Rheinische Post” on Wednesday that “good intentions are not enough.”
A central feature of the reform is a system of consolidated school assistance for multiple children. However, according to Bentele, this model assumes existing structures that are currently unavailable in many areas, and the funding for these structures remains unclear. She warns that if such infrastructure-focused services replace individual support instead of merely supplementing it, it could result in individual children facing difficulties, or even being denied, access to general schooling due to a lack of support.
Bentele stressed that the final impact of the reform on families will depend crucially on its practical implementation, noting that there is still a significant need for action in this regard. Her concerns also extend to the draft law’s provision allowing federal states to transfer responsibilities and duties related to integration support to other providers. In practice, this means many families would still have to navigate various jurisdictions. For parents of children with multiple disabilities or numerous needs, this coordination effort is described as enormous.
Joining the criticism, Green Vice-faction Leader Misbah Khan stated: “The Union and SPD intend to relieve local communities precisely at the expense of those who need state support the most.” She criticized the federal government, arguing that its attempt to implement inclusive child and youth welfare has failed: “Their austerity reform is politically wrong and socially irresponsible.” Khan further warned that cutting funding for child and youth services does not solve problems; instead, it merely postpones them, risking that they will become larger and more expensive in the future.
The Federal Cabinet is scheduled to discuss the reform of child and youth welfare, spearheaded by Federal Family Minister Karin Prien (CDU), on Wednesday.
