Does your child need support in everyday school life, and you are wondering how this works in practice in the Peine district? School support is a legally established benefit that many families are entitled to. In this blog post, we explain who is responsible, how the application works, and which local contacts are involved.
What school support means in everyday life
School support workers (also called integration assistants) support children and young people with physical, intellectual, or mental impairments in everyday school life. They do not take on teachers’ educational duties; instead, they help the child participate in lessons.
This can look very different:
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Help with structuring tasks and materials
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Support with concentration and in transition situations
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Support during breaks, on outings, and on class trips
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If needed, also close physical assistance, for example with mobility or eating
The goal is always help towards self-help: the child should do as much as possible independently, and school support specifically bridges the gaps that would otherwise be too large without assistance.
Who is responsible in the Peine district?
Peine Youth Welfare Office: for mental impairments
If your child has a mental impairment or is at risk of developing one—for example with autism spectrum disorders, ADHD, anxiety disorders, or depression—the Youth Welfare Office of the Peine district is responsible. The legal basis is Section 35a of SGB VIII.
Contact:
Specialist Service, Youth Welfare Office
Burgstraße 1, 31224 Peine
Phone: 05171 401 2207
Email: jugendamt@landkreis-peine.de
Outpatient school support via the Youth Welfare Office is free of charge for families.
Social Services / Integration Assistance Peine: for physical or intellectual impairments
In the case of physical or intellectual disabilities, the district’s Social Services / Integration Assistance department is responsible. The benefit is granted on the basis of Sections 112 et seq. of SGB IX. Here too, outpatient school support generally does not involve any costs for the family.
Contact:
Specialist Service, Social Services
Burgstraße 1, 31224 Peine
Phone: 05171 401 2121
Email: soziales@landkreis-peine.de
To apply for the measure, you can submit an informal application by email or letter. We provide a checklist for the application process in the Peine district here.
Important: If you are unsure which office is responsible, simply submit the application to either of the two offices. They are required to forward it to the correct office.
How the application process works
Step 1: Start early
Submit the application as early as possible. If you need school support at the start of the school year, you should take action by spring at the latest. Processing times can vary.
Step 2: Submit the application
The application can be informal, but it should be in writing and dated. Describe specifically which situations your child needs support in, e.g., in class, during breaks, during transitions, or on outings. If in doubt, apply for the full lesson and supervision time.
Step 3: Compile documents
The following documents are usually required:
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Specialist medical report or psychological statement
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School reports or teachers’ assessments
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Existing diagnoses or expert reports
Under Section 35a SGB VIII, a medical certificate is required by law. The impairment must be expected to last longer than six months.
Step 4: Meeting and support planning
After you submit the application, there will be a personal meeting to discuss possible support. At the Youth Welfare Office, this is followed by a support planning meeting involving parents, the child, the Youth Welfare Office, and the future provider. You will then receive a written decision.
Step 5: Appointing a provider
With a positive decision, parents or legal guardians have the right to choose a provider. We operate in the Peine district and support families from the first question through to the right solution. We are happy to help you find school support. Feel free to contact us at any time via our contact form.
Conclusion
School support in the Peine district is an accessible benefit that enables genuine participation in everyday school life for children with impairments. The key is to start early: those who contact the Youth Welfare Office or integration assistance in good time and prepare the necessary documents give their child the best chance of receiving suitable support by the start of the school year.
