School counsellor project

• German Institute for Youth Welfare and Family Law (DIJuF)

• SOCLES International Centre for Socio-Legal Studies, Heidelberg

2013 - 2024

As a result of the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its impact on the school sector, more and more school counsellors are being deployed. They accompany and support children and young people with various disabilities in everyday school life. Practical experience shows that the existing school structures are not (yet) sufficient to implement inclusive teaching without additional external staff support. School counsellors operate in difficult terrain. On the one hand, the work is very demanding and requires further qualification, while on the other hand, the working structures are often inadequate.

With funding from the Baden-Württemberg Foundation, the Ulm Clinic for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychotherapy has developed, tested and evaluated a curriculum for the further training of school counsellors. In 12 modules of 90 minutes each, theoretical and technical content is taught and practical aspects are discussed and practised using the multimedia and interactive course material. The focus of the "school counsellor" training course is on the children and young people receiving support.

The curriculum has been available since 2017. A version of the curriculum adapted for online training has also been available since 2022.

A comprehensive survey was conducted at all general education schools in Baden-Württemberg to collect data on school counsellors, their activities and the children they look after. In addition, around 50 expert interviews were conducted with those involved in school counselling. Based on this information, the above-mentioned training curriculum was developed and the "school support" training programme was designed in close cooperation with practitioners, including through focus groups, trial training sessions and the project's practical and scientific advisory board.

In order to make the qualification programme for school counsellors available to a broad public and to make it permanent, so-called multipliers have been trained in specific training courses every year since 2016. They offer the "School Support" training course independently at various locations across the country. All participating school counsellors receive a "school counsellor multiplier" certificate after successfully completing the training.

Further training courses that take place in Baden-Württemberg are also advertised on the above-mentioned homepage under the "Further training dates" tab.

Fegert, JM, Henn, K. & Ziegenhain, U. (2015). The current situation of school counsellors and their improved training and further education. In: Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (ed.), Put to the test: Inclusion in the German school system (pp. 21-24). Verfügbar unter: http://www.kas.de/wf/doc/kas_42671-544-1-30.pdf?150929110010

Fegert, JM. & Ziegenhain, U. (2016). School support as a contribution to inclusion. Stocktaking and legal expertise. Publication series of the Baden-Württemberg Foundation, Society and Culture, 81.

Henn, K., Schönecker, L., Lange, S., Fegert, JM., Ziegenhain, U. (2020). Support from school counsellors (m/f/d) despite corona-related school closures Insights into practice. THE YOUTH WELFARE OFFICE (10), 482-488.

Henn, K., Himmel, R., Ziegenhain, U., Fegert, JM. (2017). Curriculum for school counsellors - training concept for the qualification of school counsellors. Edited by: Baden-Württemberg Stiftung gGmbH. (Note: Only available for multipliers or participants in the "School support" training programme)

Henn, K., Himmel, R., Ziegenhain, U., Fegert, JM. (2017). Materials for school counsellors - accompanying materials for the school counsellor curriculum. Edited by: Baden-Württemberg Stiftung gGmbH. (Note: Only available for participants in the "School support" training programme)

Henn, K., Thurn, L., Besier, T., Künster, AK., Fegert, JM. & Ziegenhain U. (2014). School companions as support for inclusion in the school system: Survey on the current situation of school counsellors in Baden-Württemberg. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 42(6), 397-403.

Henn, K., Himmel, R., Fegert JM. & Ziegenhain U. (2017). Implementation of the right to participation in inclusive schooling using the example of school support. Journal of Neurology, 36(3), 119-126.

Henn, K., Thurn, Himmel, R., Mörtl, K., L., Fegert, J.M. & Ziegenhain, U. (2022).The view of pupils with school support on their social situation:"With my class it's like with a marriage. It works sometime" - Analysis and implications of a qualitative study.Zeitschrift für Pädagogik, (3), 408 - 428.

Henn, K., Thurn, L., Fegert, J.M., Ziegenhain, U., Mörtl, K. & Steinicke, K. (2019). "One is always more or less a lone fighter. School support as a challenge for interdisciplinary cooperation. A qualitative study. Vierteljahresschrift für Heilpädagogik und ihre Nachbargebiete, (2), 114 - 127.

Himmel, R., Möhrle, B., Fegert, JM., Ziegenhain, U. (2019). Information brochure on school support - guidance for schools and integration assistance. Publication series of the Baden-Württemberg Foundation, Society and Culture, 89. Available at: https://www.bwstiftung.de/de/publikation/schulbegleitung-informationsbroschuere

Schönecker, L., Himmel, R., Henn, K., Fegert, JM. & Ziegenhain, U. (2021). School support as a contribution to inclusion. Legal expertise (2nd revised edition). Publication series of the Baden-Württemberg Foundation, Society and Culture, 81. https://www.bwstiftung.de/de/publikation/schulbegleitung-als-beitrag-zur-inklusion

Ziegenhain, U., Meysen T. & Fegert, JM. (2012). School support: A service between integration, special status and default citizenship. Das Jugendamt - Zeitschrift für Jugendhilfe und Familienrecht, 85(10), 500-504.