Social Work and Youth Welfare in Germany Explained
Jugendamt, freie Träger, Hilfen zur Erziehung, Hilfeplan, Schutzauftrag: if you work – or plan to work – in German social work, these words shape your everyday practice. This guide explains the basics of the Child and Youth Welfare Act (SGB VIII) in plain English.
Plus 13 English self-study courses on German youth welfare – all included in the flat rate: €199 for 12 months.
SGB VIII in a nutshell
Book Eight of the Social Code (Sozialgesetzbuch VIII) governs child and youth welfare (Kinder- und Jugendhilfe). It covers services (Leistungen) – for example day care and support with upbringing – and other tasks, such as taking children and young people into care (section 2 SGB VIII).
The Jugendamt – the youth welfare office
Which bodies act as public youth welfare providers is set by state law; every local provider sets up a youth welfare office (Jugendamt) (section 69 SGB VIII). Its tasks are carried out by two parts: the youth welfare committee (Jugendhilfeausschuss) and the administration of the Jugendamt (section 70(1) SGB VIII).
Independent providers (freie Träger)
Services are delivered by independent and public providers; the legal obligations are addressed to the public providers (section 3(2) SGB VIII). Public providers work in partnership with independent ones and should refrain from their own measures where recognised independent providers run suitable services or can set them up in time (section 4 SGB VIII). Many social workers are therefore employed by welfare organisations and other independent providers. (general professional knowledge, not a legal rule)
Support with upbringing (Hilfen zur Erziehung)
Persons with custody (Personensorgeberechtigte) are entitled to support with upbringing when an upbringing in line with the child’s wellbeing is not ensured and the support is suitable and necessary (section 27(1) SGB VIII). The main forms are listed in sections 28 to 35:
parenting and family counselling
social group work
individual support for a young person
family support at home
day group
foster care
residential care, supported living
intensive individual support
Related: integration support for children and young people with (a risk of) mental disability (section 35a) and support for young adults (section 41 SGB VIII).
Care planning (Hilfeplan)
When support is expected to last for a longer time, several professionals should decide together on the suitable type of support. Together with the persons with custody and the child or young person, they should draw up a care plan that records the need, the type of support and the services required, and regularly review whether it is still suitable and necessary (section 36(2) SGB VIII).
The child protection mandate (Schutzauftrag)
- When the Jugendamt learns of significant indications that a child’s wellbeing is at risk, it estimates the risk together with several professionals and involves the parents and the child, unless this would jeopardise effective protection (section 8a(1) SGB VIII).
- Independent providers are bound by agreements: their professionals carry out a risk appraisal, consult an experienced child-protection specialist (insoweit erfahrene Fachkraft) and inform the Jugendamt if the risk cannot be averted otherwise (section 8a(4) SGB VIII).
- The Jugendamt is entitled and obliged to take a child or young person into care (Inobhutnahme) – for example when the child asks for it, in urgent danger, or when a foreign minor arrives in Germany unaccompanied (section 42(1) SGB VIII).
- Youth welfare providers should check an extended criminal record extract (erweitertes Führungszeugnis) of their staff when hiring and at regular intervals (section 72a SGB VIII).
In acute danger call the emergency services (112) or the police (110), and always inform your team leader.
Recognition – neutral facts and official links
Social work (Sozialarbeiter/in, Sozialpädagoge/Sozialpädagogin) is regulated in Germany at the level of the federal states. The procedure – for example the required German level or a practical year – differs from state to state. Check the Recognition Finder: Social education worker, social worker, anerkennung-in-deutschland.de and make-it-in-germany.com.
Important: Our self-study courses do not replace state recognition (staatliche Anerkennung) and make no promises about recognition, employment or residence. Only the competent authority decides.
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Questions
No. They explain the German legal framework and professional practice. For individual cases, follow your organisation’s procedures and consult your supervisor or legal department.
When you have marked all modules of a course as done, you can download a confirmation of participation for that course.
Sources
Bundesministerium der Justiz. (n.d.). Sozialgesetzbuch (SGB) Achtes Buch (VIII) – Kinder- und Jugendhilfe (§§ 2, 3, 4, 8a, 27–36, 41, 42, 69, 70, 72a). Retrieved October 26, 2026, from https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/sgb_8/
Bundesinstitut für Berufsbildung. (n.d.). Recognition in Germany: Information portal of the German government for the recognition of foreign professional qualifications. Retrieved October 26, 2026, from https://www.anerkennung-in-deutschland.de/html/en/index.php
Bundesinstitut für Berufsbildung. (n.d.). Social education worker, social worker (m/f) [Recognition Finder]. Retrieved October 26, 2026, from https://www.anerkennung-in-deutschland.de/en/interest/finder/profession/377
Make it in Germany. (n.d.). Make it in Germany [Website; linked for official information]. https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/
GermanSocialLab offers self-study courses with voluntary self-reflection (not graded) and a confirmation of participation after working through all modules. Legal status: 26 October 2026. This guide describes the situation in Germany in general terms; it provides professional information and does not constitute legal advice or recognition advice. Rules can differ between the 16 federal states (Länder) and between employers – always follow your employer’s procedures and ask the competent authority. Created with AI assistance and editorially reviewed.