Politicians, please take immediate notice: This situation is beyond comprehension!
In the heart of Germany, the future of school social work is shrouded in uncertainty. This is particularly evident at Grundschule West in Neubrandenburg, where social worker René Heinzelmann has been tirelessly advocating for a more secure funding model for over eight years.
School social work in Germany is primarily funded at the municipal level, often involving a mix of local government budgets, contributions from federal or state sources. However, the lack of a fully standardized national funding scheme dedicated solely to school social work creates challenges in long-term financial security and reliability.
René Heinzelmann, a Diplom-Sozialpädagoge, works for Kinder- und Jugenddienste gGmbH of the Arbeiterwohlfahrt. His position, like many others, is funded through a combination of city, district, and EU resources. The financial situation for the next European Social Fund (ESF) funding period in 2027 remains uncertain, adding to the concerns about the long-term sustainability of school social work.
The fragmented nature of funding means that school social work programs often rely on temporary funding streams such as project-based grants rather than stable, sustained budgets. This results in a lack of long-term financial security and continuity for school social workers like René, affecting the effectiveness of their services.
The parents' council of Grundschule West "Am See" shares these concerns. With René Heinzelmann acting as a crucial support for around 360 children, the insecure funding of school social work is a significant worry.
Despite these challenges, René remains actively involved in a variety of projects and events. From organizing special events like the detective night to training schoolyard professionals and initiating class sponsorships, he is a driving force behind the school's success.
His efforts have also led to the establishment of unique initiatives, such as the model railway club, which makes Grundschule West the only school in Neubrandenburg to offer this activity. Moreover, the award-winning concept of the Fair Weeks, a project he oversees, is now being requested by schools in Berlin.
In an effort to secure a more stable future for school social work, René has submitted a petition to the state parliament, calling for the funding of school social work to be permanently secured through the Ministry of Education.
With the ongoing debate about establishing a more reliable, long-term funding framework for school social work, the case of René Heinzelmann at Grundschule West serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of consistent service provision and support for pupils. The absence of such a framework is viewed as a significant challenge to the sector's sustainability, and efforts like René's are crucial in pushing for change.
- Despite the important role of school social work in education-and-self-development, the lack of a standardized national funding scheme dedicated solely to it in Germany presents challenges for long-term finance security and reliability in finance, particularly evident at Grundschule West.
- The financial instability in the European Social Fund (ESF) funding period in 2027 and the reliance on temporary funding streams, like project-based grants, can impact the effectiveness of school social workers like René Heinzelmann in finance matters, affecting their ability to provide consistent services in general-news.
