A guide for parents – from TeamLike Schulbegleitung
If a child has a physical, intellectual, or mental impairment, attending school can become a challenge. School support can be a valuable form of assistance here—individual, practical for everyday life, and relieving for everyone involved. But how do you actually apply for school support?
At TeamLike Schulbegleitung, we would like to support families on this journey—with experience, heart, and practical help. In this article, we show you step by step how to apply for school support in Lower Saxony.
When is my child entitled to school support?
In principle, entitlement exists if:
- there is a physical, intellectual, or mental impairment,
- the impairment is confirmed by a medical or psychological assessment report,
- and attending school is not possible, or only possible with difficulty, without support.
It does not matter whether it is a diagnosis such as autism, ADHD, an anxiety disorder, or a physical limitation—what matters is the individual need for support in everyday school life.
Who is responsible? – Youth Welfare Office or Social Welfare Office?
Depending on the type of impairment, different authorities are responsible:
- Mental and/or physical impairment (e.g., ADHD, autism, anxiety disorder):
👉 The responsible authority is the Youth Welfare Office in accordance with Section 35a SGB VIII. - Physical and/or intellectual disability (e.g., hearing/visual impairment, intellectual developmental delay):
👉 The responsible authority is the Social Welfare Office under Section 112 SGB IX.
The application – explained step by step
1. Prepare documents
For a successful application, you will need several documents:
- Medical or (child and adolescent) psychiatric assessment report
- Statement from the school regarding the need for support
- Parents’ description of the situation and the need for assistance
- The child’s current timetable
- (If available) Notice of special educational needs
2. Submit the application
The application for school support is informal, but must be submitted in writing to the responsible authority. Important:
- Describe the type of impairment and why support is necessary.
- Enclose all documents listed above.
- Make use of the right to choose and express preferences: In the application, you may state that you would like a specific provider—such as TeamLike Schulbegleitung (§ 36 SGB VIII).
3. Observe deadlines
- Submit the application at least six months to one year before school starts, or in good time before the change of school year.
- The authority usually checks responsibility within two weeks.
- If further assessments are required, the decision period begins once they have been received.
What happens after the application is submitted?
After receipt, the office reviews the application. If the decision is positive, the following will be determined:
- How many hours of school support per week are approved
- Which tasks the school support worker is allowed to take on
- Which qualification is required
Parents can then—by arrangement with the office—choose a provider. The costs are paid not by the parents, but directly by the office to the provider. School support is therefore free of charge.
How long does the support last?
The duration of school support depends on the child’s individual needs—it may be granted for only a few months, but also over several school years. Support is possible from Year 1; in exceptional cases, it can also be applied for in kindergarten before starting school.
Important advisory services for parents
If you are unsure, the following services can help:
- EUTB – Supplementary Independent Participation Counselling
- Regional offices of the school authority (RLSB)
- Youth Welfare Office or Social Welfare Office in your district
Especially when it comes to questions about responsibilities or documents, it is worth contacting the responsible municipality or district early on:
For mental and/or physical impairment (e.g., ADHD, autism, anxiety disorders):
Youth Welfare Office of the District of Hildesheim
Specialist Team School Assistance Counselling (SAB)
Coordination: Laura Salewsky
31134 Hildesheim
Phone: 05121 309-6361
Email: schulassistenzberatung@landkreishildesheim.de
Other contacts for school assistance counselling:
- Laura Salewsky (City area Hi-Nord): 05121 / 309-6262
- Richard Hennig (District West): 05121 / 309-6726
- Susanne Brosig (District South): 05121 / 309-8902
- Julia Schewe (District East): 05121 / 309-6273
For physical or intellectual impairment:
City of Hildesheim
Participation and Rehabilitation Department
Hannoversche Straße 6
31134 Hildesheim
Integration assistance hotline: 05121 301 4343
Email: eingliederungshilfe@stadt-hildesheim.de
www.stadt-hildesheim.de
District of Hildesheim
Office for Participation and Rehabilitation
Marie-Wagenknecht-Straße 3
31134 Hildesheim
Phone: 05121 309 – 0
Email: info@landkreis-hildesheim.de
www.landkreishildesheim.de
Our experience with the application process
Applying for school support can seem bureaucratic at first—but you are not alone. At TeamLike Schulbegleitung, we are happy to support you with advice and practical help, whether with selection, in discussions with the office, or with general questions about school support.
📞 Contact us early—the sooner you start, the more relaxed the start of school will be for you and your child.
✅ Use our checklist—we have compiled all the relevant points for you. Feel free to use the checklist for your application process.
✉️ Use our sample application – for a quick and straightforward application for school support at your responsible office.
