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New collaborations aim to strengthen inclusion at Darmstadt's primary schools
The city council of Darmstadt, a city of science, approved a new framework agreement on school participation assistance at its meeting on Wednesday (28th). The aim is to further improve the participation of children with disabilities in everyday school life and to structurally expand inclusion at Darmstadt's primary schools.
“With the framework agreement on participation assistance, we are laying a new foundation for further expanding inclusion in primary schools,” explains Barbara Akdeniz . “We not only want to give all children the opportunity to participate in regular schools, but are also actively working to ensure that the necessary structures are in place within youth and integration services.”
New approach through pooling and fixed structures
As part of integration assistance, children with disabilities receive support through so-called participation assistants. These services are approved by the youth welfare office and provided by independent organizations that have entered into corresponding service agreements with the city of Darmstadt. Until now, this support has primarily been provided on a case-by-case basis.
The new framework agreement expands this approach. In the future, participation assistants will not only support individual children, but also, through so-called "pooling," support several students and simultaneously strengthen inclusive structures in the classroom. This is based on an agreement jointly developed by independent organizations and the youth welfare office, which has also been approved by the youth welfare committee.
Close cooperation with all primary schools
Cooperation with Darmstadt's 21 primary schools is to be significantly intensified. In the future, only two to three independent service providers will be active at each school. Furthermore, a designated contact person from the Integration Assistance Department of the Youth Welfare Office will be appointed for each primary school to coordinate the collaboration and build stable teams on site.
Previously, up to six different service providers were involved at some schools, which complicated coordination and hindered continuity. The new structure aims to better coordinate support services, design them for the long term, and ensure seamless integration. The goal is to enable more children to benefit from these support programs.
Flexible and sustainable support
The pooling model allows for a more flexible and efficient deployment of inclusion support services. Support services can be provided as needed in everyday school life, without being exclusively tied to individual students. At the same time, individualized support remains possible.
“We expect that the energy invested in the school system through integration assistance services will have a lasting impact on inclusion,” said Akdeniz. “All young people should be able to participate in education on an equal basis, regardless of their circumstances.”
The framework agreement is to be implemented in all 21 Darmstadt primary schools in the future and create a legally secure, comprehensive and needs-based basis for school participation assistance.
(Darmstadt - Red/PSD/DK)
