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Systemic work in child and youth welfare

Practical training

Systemic work in child and youth welfare

This qualification is perfect for you if you want to deepen your practical skills in child and youth welfare.

In the sensitive field of child and youth welfare, both specialist knowledge and practical experience are equally important. Through various modules, we provide you, as an educational professional, with in-depth specialist knowledge as well as intensive practical exercises and reflection.

Register here >>

Requirements for participation

You can participate in the professional development program…

  • if you work professionally in outpatient or inpatient child and youth services.

Contents:

  • Module 1: Systemic work to promote relationships and development
  • Module 2: Expanding trauma-informed pedagogical knowledge – shaping relationship work professionally
  • Module 3: Systemically examining collaborations and networks
  • Module 4: Understanding, supporting and protecting children and young people in crisis
  • Module 5: Promoting growth and development – ​​recognizing one's own paths in educational work

To support the learning process and the transfer of knowledge into practice, you will receive practical assignments to complete between seminars. Where possible, a practical mentor will support you at your workplace to reflect on the seminar content and apply it to your work.

Depending on requirements and/or by arrangement, we conduct parts of the training online.

Course duration:
06.10.2025 – 17.03.2026
20.04.2026 – 30.09.2026
05.10.2026 – 03.03.2027

Cost contribution:
1.700,- €

Course scope:
120 teaching units (TU) + approx. 16 hours of work on assignments for the transfer of theory into practice + 2 hours final colloquium

Class times:
9:00 AM – 4:15 PM

Participants:
maximum 18 people

 

Registration information:
Registration required

Cost:
1700 €

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Kelam

The project targets diverse groups in Bremen and Bremerhaven. The focus is on young people and young adults – but also professionals and multipliers, such as social workers, teachers, staff from social institutions and educational fields, and especially volunteers from mosque communities and intercultural contexts who wish to expand their skills in dealing with Muslim life and strengthen their confidence in their actions.

We offer support on topics such as religious sensitivity, empowerment, political education, dealing with anti-Muslim racism, and navigating conspiracy theories within Muslim communities in Bremen and Bremerhaven. Furthermore, we provide perspectives on addressing Islamist, extremist, and ultranationalist narratives from the viewpoint of Muslim practice.

A particular focus is on cooperation with institutions in Bremen: Our services are aimed at mosque communities, advice centers, social institutions, neighborhood centers, youth centers, schools and district-based projects that are looking for professional exchange or want to design their services in a diversity- and religion-sensitive way with regard to Muslim target groups.

We serve as a contact and advice center , referring individuals to existing counseling and support services as needed. Upon request, we also offer targeted educational and training programs on topics related to Muslim life in Bremen and Bremerhaven. In particular, we organize training courses – for example, for multi-professional teams, groups, or institutions – on specific topics and interfaces relevant to working with young people with (or without) a Muslim background. Our expertise is based on many years of experience, practical experience, and close collaboration with the Muslim community in Bremen and Bremerhaven.

At Kelam, you can expect an open-minded team that is committed to approaching you in an open, welcoming, and non-judgmental manner. We want to provide you with a safe space where all your questions and concerns are welcome.

You can contact us in person, by phone, email, messenger, or during our open consultation hours, and all inquiries will be treated anonymously. The Kelam project is run by Schura Bremen eV and funded by the Federal Ministry of Education, Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth, as well as the Senator for Labor, Social Affairs, Youth and Integration, within the framework of the "Democracy Lives" program.

A wide range of services for young people, professionals and institutions:

Office hours:
Monday 4-6 pm,
Thursday 12-1 pm and 5-6 pm.
Appointments are also possible by arrangement.

Advice hotline: 
0421 388 750 55 + 0176 298 400 18

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AK Critical Social Work

Are you colleagues, activists, or interested in the Critical Social Work working groups? Then come to our meetings!

At the end of 2005, several university professors decided to establish a nationwide "Working Group for Critical Social Work" (AKS). The AKS was founded with the intention, and indeed achieved, of creating a common forum for the (further) development of a critical theory and practice of social work; not only to pool individual efforts toward a critical theory and practice of social work in a joint project, but also to further strengthen a critical practice and counter-public sphere to the mainstream of social work and social policy, as well as to the hegemonic neoliberal discourse.

We are still at the beginning of a long journey that we want to travel together. We advocate for a more self-determined, proactive, and politically engaged social work practice, taking into account the societal contradictions and challenges that social work/social pedagogy, as well as human suffering, entail.

Everyone is welcome at AKS! Simply contact one of the many existing regional groups directly, or start your own, subscribe to the newsletter, and join us for our annual networking meetings!

And if you would like to read more about the AKS's self-image, you can view the complete concept from the founding year 2005 here.

AKS Bremen

Contact AKS Bremen: aks-bremen@gmx.de
Bremen Alliance for Social Work

Website of the Bremen Alliance

Contact the Bremen Alliance: bremerbuendnissozialearbeit@gmx.de
 

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Social Working Group Weser Terraces

The Social Working Group Weserterrassen brings together representatives of social institutions, associations, organizations, institutions and service providers that operate in Mitte and the eastern suburbs.

The main focus is on the needs and requirements of older people, although other target groups may also be included.

The aim of this work is to highlight and utilize the potential for better networking among the actors.

The meeting will focus on current developments in the district and the areas of work, as well as new projects and events.
 

Meeting location:
Bürgerhaus Weserterrassen, Osterdeich 70b, 28205 Bremen

Meeting frequency:
Once a quarter

Participation requirements:
Field of activity in the city districts of Mitte and Östliche Vorstadt in the area of ​​work with elderly people

Cooperation with other working groups and committees
House in the neighborhood

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Growing up healthy in daycare, school and neighborhood

Focus on mental health

The mental health of children and adolescents has deteriorated since the pandemic, as the COPSY study from 2025 once again illustrates. The current school barometer from the Robert Bosch Foundation also shows that a quarter of students are currently suffering from mental health problems.

For Bremen and Bremerhaven, the relevance of this issue is clearly demonstrated, for example, in the 2024 State Health Report, which highlights an increase in mental health problems. Furthermore, the Bremen Youth Council Conference also defined mental health as a key issue for young people in Bremen this year.

Social and health inequalities play a central role in the development of resilience and the promotion of mental health, and can negatively influence the risk of mental health problems. To address these challenges, tailored and easily accessible support services for children and young people are needed. The settings in which children and young people grow up play a crucial role in this.

The conference "Growing Up Healthy in Daycare, School, and Community – Focus on Mental Health" addresses this topic with a focus on these settings. Following an introductory keynote address and an overview of Bremen's structures, there will be four parallel workshops that will delve deeper into the resilience and mental health of children and/or adolescents in daycare, school, and community settings, as well as the resilience and mental well-being of professionals. Participants will have the opportunity to gain new practical knowledge and exchange ideas with one another.

The conference has been implemented since 2019 as a collaborative event between the Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology (BIPS) and the Coordination Office for Health Equity (KGC) Bremen.

Stakeholders from the health, social and education sectors, as well as anyone interested in the topic, are invited.

Wednesday, September 2, 2026, 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Location: House of Science, Sandstraße 4/5, 28195 Bremen

Further information and registration

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Roundtable on Female Genital Mutilation/Circumcision

In Bremen, the Round Table on Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting deals with the complex issue of FGM/C. It consists of representatives from various non-governmental organizations, counseling centers, members of government departments and agencies, as well as private individuals, and meets several times a year.

It is led by the ZGF (Central Office for Gender Equality). If you are interested in participating, please contact: Free Hanseatic City of Bremen, Bremen Central Office for the Realization of Gender Equality, Round Table on Female Genital Mutilation/Circumcision
 

Working level
State of Bremen

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Special Protection Needs Working Group

In order to improve cooperation between the various support systems (e.g., women's support system, addiction support, migration counselling, youth support, disability support), the working group was established with the creation of the state action plan for the implementation of the Istanbul Convention and has been continued since then.
 

Working level
State of Bremen

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Escape – Outpatient Clinic for young people with addiction problems (Blumenthal)

Child and adolescent psychiatric counselling center at the Blumenthal location

The child and adolescent psychiatric counselling center offers an additional range of counselling and support services:

  • for young people who abuse drugs
  • and for young people with substance-related behavioral problems.

The offer is also aimed at parents and institutions, and their staff, who deal with such young people.

We offer:

  • Advice and support in the search for ways to
  • to limit, reduce or stop addictive behavior
  • If necessary, referral to specialist inpatient measures, in close cooperation with the respective cost bearers
  • Support in crisis situations
  • Identifying accompanying (mental) illnesses and, if necessary, carrying out/initiating necessary treatments
  • Taking over outpatient aftercare/follow-up treatment after stays in child and adolescent psychiatric hospitals and specialist clinics.

Our support is provided through individual, family, or group counseling. All conversations are confidential. We collaborate with other independent, municipal, and court-based youth services and schools.

The service is free of charge. Should treatment be necessary, we will bill your health insurance company directly.

The advice center is located in the Bremen Health Department, Blumenthal branch, Landrat-Christians-Str. 82-86, 28779 Bremen, 1st floor, room 1.02

Go directly to the offer (link)

Open consultation hours

Bremen Public Health Department, Blumenthal branch office:

Mondays, 3:00-4:00 PM

 

Cost:
free

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Conducting conversations with children in a mindful and sensitive manner

Continuing education

Talking to children about difficult topics like domestic violence is often challenging. Fears and uncertainties block our impulse to act because we want to be sure we do everything right. A crucial first step towards a mindful conversation is the attitude we bring to our interactions with children.

This training course focuses on developing strategies for establishing a good foundation for communication by considering children's needs. The goal is to cultivate an appreciative, needs-oriented, and trauma-sensitive approach that respects the child's rights.

Wednesday, September 16, 2026, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m

Location: The German Child Protection Association Bremen, Schlachte 32, 28195 Bremen

Speakers: Katharina Berger and Susanne Osthoff-Klein

Participation fee: €80 including snacks and drinks (no lunch)

Register here >>

 

Registration information:
Registration required

Cost:
€80 participation fee

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Safe conduct in child protection

Principles for effective action in cases of suspected child endangerment

Children in difficult life situations depend on effective protection and targeted support. Professionals play a central role here: they are important caregivers and bear responsibility for the children entrusted to their care.

To fulfill this responsibility, fundamental knowledge of the duty to protect children and confidence in handling suspected cases of child endangerment are essential. At the same time, working with affected children, parents, and other involved parties repeatedly presents professionals with personal and professional challenges.

In this training course you will acquire the knowledge and confidence to effectively protect children, provide them with professional support, and also strengthen yourself.

Training content:

  • Recognizing violence against children and signs of neglect
  • Professional conduct in cases of suspected child endangerment
  • Legal certainty in dealing with Section 8a of the German Social Code, Book VIII (SGB VIII)
  • Strengthening children's participation
  • Dealing with parents
  • Reflecting on one's own feelings and boundaries
  • Help and support services for professionals

May 6th and 7th, 2026, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM each day

Location: The German Child Protection Association Bremen, Schlachte 32, 28195 Bremen

Speakers: Julia Sweers and Henning Lueken

Participation fee: €160 including snacks and drinks (no lunch)

Register here >>

 

Registration information:
Registration required

Cost:
€160 participation fee