Greater Safeguards Urged in Child and Adolescent Social Services - Increased safeguards in child and youth care services
Federal and state youth and family ministers are urging for enhanced prevention measures in child and youth welfare. During a two-day conference in Hamburg, they emphasized the need for closer collaboration among child and youth welfare, schools, social service providers, and the healthcare system.
The increasing psychological strain on children and young people, aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic, wars, and the climate crisis, highlights the urgency for action, according to Hamburg's Senator for Schools and Families, Ksenija Bekeris.
Federal Youth Minister Karin Prien expressed concern over recent incidents of violence among children, citing instances in Berlin and Remscheid where young students reportedly stabbed their peers. Prien advocated for stronger cooperation among all systems, including child and youth welfare, integration assistance in schools, police, and youth court assistance, with a focus on preventing rather than reacting.
Addressing the digital world's challenges for children and youth was another topic discussed. The ministers emphasized the importance of consistent application of existing legal frameworks and coordination with the states and European level for new regulations such as age verification and youth protection.
International youth exchange was deemed essential for democracy education and active peace policy by Bekeris, who announced her plans to advocate for a German-Israeli youth exchange as federal minister.
The need for closer integration of early childhood education was also underscored, with an emphasis on developing language skills among children from varying backgrounds to ensure better prospects for success in life.
In terms of preventing violence, the Enrichment Data suggests the implementation of education programs, early intervention strategies, trauma-informed care, community and school-based programs, and collaboration among key stakeholders – child and youth welfare services, schools, social service providers, and the healthcare system. These strategies, if implemented comprehensively, could significantly reduce the incidence and impact of violence on children.
- The community policy should prioritize enhanced prevention measures, focusing on trauma-informed care, early intervention strategies, and education programs to address the rising violence among children.
- In light of the increasing psychological strain on children due to factors like the COVID-19 pandemic, wars, and the climate crisis, it is crucial to strengthen collaboration between child and youth welfare, schools, social service providers, and the healthcare system.
- The employment policy should focus on integration of early childhood education, emphasizing the development of language skills among children from diverse backgrounds to improve their chances for a successful life.
- To ensure a better understanding of democracy and promote active peace policy, the emphasis should be on international youth exchange programs, as advocated by Hamburg's Senator for Schools and Families, Ksenija Bekeris. Additionally, it is important to coordinate with the states and European level for new regulations in the digital world, especially regarding age verification and youth protection.
