Notes

The diagram only refers to the number of minors in receipt of socio-educational support (Article 27, Book 8 of the Social Code [SGB VIII]). It does not include the number of cases involving support for children with a psychological disability in accordance with Article 35a, nor the large number of young adults (Article 41) receiving any forms of support (in particular, alternative residential accommodation).

The breakdown highlights the large variety of socio-educational support services available to minors in accordance with Article 27 et seq. of Book 8, which has not changed substantially in recent years. The current percentage breakdown of types of support provided to a total of 1,026,882 young people and their families in 2019 demonstrates the significance of parental counselling in quantitative terms; it accounts for 43% of all socio-educational services delivered to under-18s. This is almost certainly because this type of service is directly available to parents and young people without having to submit an application for service provision and funding to the youth welfare office (Article 36a [2]).

When it comes to non-residential support, the so-called socio-educational help for families plays a major role (Article 31) which in 2019 was provided to around 24% of minors in receipt of socio-educational support services. At 7%, the next most frequently provided type of service, at quite a remove, was non-residential support in accordance with Article 27 (2), followed by assistance from family support workers in accordance with Article 30. They accounted for 4% of all socio-educational support services. By contrast, social group work (Article 29) and care support (Article 30), which accounted for 1.6% and 0.5%, respectively, played a comparatively insignificant role.

Semi-residential support services provided as part of care in a day group (Article 32) or intensive forms of day-care in family settings (Article 35), which can be either non-residential or residential, were delivered similarly infrequently.

In 2019, almost 18% of under-18s in receipt of socio-educational support were being delivered residential services (in accordance with Article 27 in combination with Articles 33 and 34, including residential services under Article 27 [2]). Almost 9% of them had been placed in a home (Article 34), 8% were in full-time family care (Article 33). A very small number (under 1%) were in receipt of residential support under Article 27 (2).

Looking at young adults (aged 18-27), the picture changes. In 2019, 140,923 young adults were in receipt of socio-educational support. Residential support (in accordance with Article 27 in combination with Articles 33 and 34, including residential services under Article 27 [2]) was provided to 38% of them, a considerably larger number than in the under-18 age group. Placement in a home played a particularly large role for the over-18s (accounting for 30% of all support services). As for non-residential support, family care workers were particularly significant (14%). Parental counselling was requested by 24% of young adults in receipt of socio-educational support.

• Fendrich, Sandra/Pothmann, Jens/Tabel, Agathe (2021, in publication): Monitor Hilfen zur Erziehung 2020. Dortmund.
• Statistisches Bundesamt (2020): Statistiken der Kinder- und Jugendhilfe – Erzieherische Hilfen, Eingliederungshilfe, Hilfe für junge Volljährige 2019. Wiesbaden (last accessed: 31 May 2021).