Care – Perspectives from Youth Welfare Services
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| free admission |
| Mechanical Arena in the Foyer |
When young people slip through the social safety net, it is often professionals in child and youth welfare who take action first: social workers, educators, foster families. Yet their knowledge and experience too rarely find their way into political decisions and structural reforms.
This panel addresses current challenges – from overstretched local authorities and bureaucratic structures to gaps in provision that are often recognised too late. The discussion will explore how practical knowledge can be better integrated into reform processes, how the participation of young people can be ensured, and how trust in structures can be strengthened.
Sibel Eğilmez, born in Berlin in 1984, has lived in Hamburg for over ten years. She began her career as an educator specialising in integration and now works as a social worker in family and youth support in the district of Stormarn. For many years she has supported families, children, and young people in challenging life situations, focusing on strengthening resources and relationships. Music is an important source of strength for her and also flows into her pedagogical practice.
Dr. Philipp Sandermann is Professor of Social Pedagogy at Leuphana University Lüneburg. His research interests include child and youth welfare, refugee family studies, and the study of trust. He was a member of the expert commission for the German Federal Government’s 17th Child and Youth Report.
Three panels open up different yet interconnected perspectives on the theme of care: from child and youth welfare, to elder care, to post-familial, collective practices. Together, they show that care is a responsibility for society as a whole – one that calls for institutional reform, new social models, and a critical reflection on family images.