Educational assistance
section 30 SGB VIII
Educational assistance under section 30 SGB VIII supports children and young people in dealing with developmental difficulties and promotes their independence while maintaining their ties to the family. Miro Sozialdienste GmbH delivers this service on an outpatient basis in Leverkusen, Cologne and the Rhein-Berg district. The family environment is involved; the young person remains the focus.
What the support covers
- Regular one-to-one sessions with the child or young person
- Support with everyday matters: daily structure, household tasks, leisure time
- Help with school matters: organising learning, contact with the school
- Involvement of parents and, where useful, other important people
How often meetings take place depends on the agreed scope of the support.
Who educational assistance is for
The service is for children and young people who need support in their development and continue to live with their family. It is suitable where a reliable person outside the family system can provide orientation.
Process and cooperation
The support is initiated through the responsible youth welfare office. Goals and scope are set out in the assistance planning procedure under section 36 SGB VIII and reviewed regularly. We document the process, take part in assistance planning meetings and coordinate with the school and other parties as needed.
Frequently asked questions
Who is an educational mentor under section 30 SGB VIII suitable for?
An educational mentor supports children and young people who need additional guidance in their development, for example with family conflicts, difficulties at school or organising everyday life. The focus is on the young person and their own concerns. The relationship with the family and the social environment are included in the support.
What is the difference between an educational mentor and family support?
An educational mentor focuses their work primarily on the individual child or young person. Social educational family support under section 31 SGB VIII provides more support to the entire family with parenting, living together and organising everyday life. The family and youth welfare office clarify together which support is a better fit.
How do parents apply for an educational mentor?
Legal guardians contact the responsible youth welfare office and describe the need for support. Together with the child or young person, it is assessed whether an educational mentor is suitable. Goals, tasks and the scope of support are recorded in the assistance plan. Young people may also contact the youth welfare office themselves if they are seeking advice or support.
Who covers the costs of an educational mentor?
If the youth welfare office approves an educational mentor as outpatient educational assistance, it covers the costs of the agreed support. Parents do not have to pay an income-related contribution for this. The support must be coordinated with and granted by the youth welfare office.
What happens in meetings with the educational mentor?
Meetings may include conversations, support with planning the day, preparing school tasks or taking joint steps to resolve conflicts. At Miro Sozialdienste, the content is based on the agreed goals and the young person's life situation. Parents and other key people are involved where this is useful for the support.
How long does support from an educational mentor last?
The duration and frequency of appointments depend on the need for support. There is no fixed duration for all cases. Regular assistance planning meetings jointly review what has improved, what support is still needed and when the support can be adjusted or ended.
Would you like to find out whether educational assistance fits your case? Get in touch – youth welfare offices are welcome to send case enquiries.
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