Residential Care for Children and Youth in Germany

Abstract

This chapter notes the long historical tradition of residential care in Germany and its current expression in a wide variety of settings. Residential care programs mostly consist of small community-based group homes and supported living units with about seven to 10 youths and four or five pedagogical staff. Some homes offer specialized services (e.g., therapeutic residential care, wilderness programs, mother–child homes). The authors note that residential care is guided by general pedagogical principles and concepts, emphasizing learning through a milieu-based and “life-space-oriented” perspective (Lebensweltorientierung), which stresses an individualized, participatory, and relationship-based approach. Parent engagement and youth participation are also noted as important, as are the growing numbers of unaccompanied minors and their impact on the residential care system. The chapter concludes with the matrix used throughout the book, which provides information about the current policy context, key trends and initiatives, characteristics of children and youth served, preparation of residential care personnel, promising programmatic innovations, and present strengths and challenges.