School Social Work
School social work in the Oberbergischer Kreis – an integral part of school culture
This page was translated from German using artificial intelligence. The translation may contain errors or inaccuracies. In case of doubt, the German original version prevails.
Since the 1980s, skilled professionals in school social work have been active in many schools in the Oberbergischer Kreis. They expand the educational, upbringing, and support offerings of schools and are an important part of school culture and development.
School social workers actively shape the full-day school program, offer counseling, and significantly influence school culture and development. They are integrated into preventive structures and help schools assess the individual developmental needs of children, adolescents, and young adults. As part of child protection, they guide schools through the reporting process and serve as competent points of contact.
Through their work, school social workers sustainably impact school culture and promote a respectful, non-violent school environment where everyone feels comfortable and can learn successfully.
School social work is a low-threshold, preventive, and resource-oriented support offering within the school environment. It assumes an independent position of trust for all members of the school community, views individual life and problem situations holistically, works in a potential-oriented manner, and focuses on social, emotional, and personal development. A fundamental basis of school social work is the legally mandated confidentiality obligation.
A key component for successful school social work is its equal partnership with the school. This requires regular discussions with the school administration, integration into internal school communication, recognition of the possibilities and limits of school social work by the school, participation in school committees, and appreciative communication. Professional qualifications of the skilled professionals are essential for this.
In the Oberbergischer Kreis, skilled professionals in school social work or social work in schools operate under different sponsorships. Depending on the legal regulations and employment relationships, they are employed by the state of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), the Oberbergischer Kreis, a municipality, or independent sponsors such as the German Red Cross, Caritas, Internationaler Bund, the Diakonie, and the special education school association. The focus of their work depends on the underlying legal regulations and respective job descriptions. The sponsors provide professional and administrative support to the skilled professionals.
