Permanent arrangement for emergency shelters for children and families established in Stuttgart
In the heart of Baden-Württemberg, Stuttgart, the state capital, provides a unique and essential service for homeless minors. The central overnight accommodation, located within the city, offers a low-threshold, pedagogically based service that combines playful and creative elements with learning units.
This service is not provided in regular social shelters but forms part of the emergency accommodation offer for minors, children, and young people who do not have a claim to social benefits. The right to this emergency accommodation can be derived from the Basic Law, ensuring protection for those in need.
The central overnight accommodation is an obligation for all cities in Baden-Württemberg, especially during the winter months to protect against freezing. Dr. Clemens Maier, Mayor for Security, Order, and Sports, emphasizes the necessity of this service, alongside the emergency accommodation offer.
The service is primarily governed by German child and youth welfare law (Kinder- und Jugendhilfegesetz, SGB VIII). This legislation mandates immediate and adequate shelter for minors in need. The legal basis ensures that homeless minors receive protection, shelter, and pedagogical care tailored to their age and situation.
The responsible offices typically include the Jugendamt (Youth Welfare Office) of Stuttgart, which is legally mandated to arrange emergency accommodation and ensure appropriate care and case management. They coordinate with specialized social services, youth homeless shelters, and often collaborate with non-governmental organizations that provide outreach and support services to homeless youth.
The central overnight accommodation offers social-pedagogical support, involving qualified social workers or educators helping minors with everyday life management, psychological support, integration into education or training, and facilitating family or network contacts. Such care is designed to ensure minors’ well-being and personal development while in shelter.
The central overnight accommodation is a joint effort between the Office for Social Affairs and Participation, the Office for Public Order, and the Youth Office. Together, they work to provide a safe and nurturing environment for homeless minors in Stuttgart.
For comprehensive and local-specific information, consulting Stuttgart’s official Jugendamt or social services department websites would be necessary, as the exact facilities, legal framework, and involved local offices for homeless minors are not directly specified in the available search results. However, German child welfare law broadly applies across municipalities, including Stuttgart, ensuring that homeless minors receive the care and protection they need.
Science plays a pivotal role in the pedagogical approach of the central overnight accommodation, employing evidence-based methods to aid in the development and well-being of homeless minors. Health-and-wellness initiatives are incorporated within the service, ensuring physical and mental well-being of these minors, as part of a holistic care program.
