Wir überwinden Grenzen

Closer cooperation between the Medical Center - University of Freiburg and the region's youth welfare offices comes into effect / Joint case discussions for complex situations

The "Pediatric Child Protection Center (KiZ) Early Help and Child Protection" at the Center for Pediatrics at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg is strengthening its cooperation with the youth welfare offices in the Freiburg region. The cooperation agreement came into force in mid-September. The aim of the cooperation is to work more closely together in specific cases, but also independently of cases, in order to be able to help affected children quickly and in a targeted manner.

"We see cooperation between medical expertise and social support as the key to effective help for children at risk," says Prof. Dr. Ute Spiekerkötter, Medical Director of the Department of General Pediatrics, Adolescent Medicine and Neonatology at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg.

Diagnostics as the first step

If a child's welfare is suspected to be at risk, the Center for Pediatrics at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg acts as the primary point of contact. The first step is a diagnostic examination. If the suspicion is confirmed, the KiZ forwards the case to the youth welfare offices.

In difficult situations, when parents are not willing or able to cooperate in the assessment of risk or the planning of support measures, KiZ employees and social services specialists come together for joint discussions. The aim of these case discussions is to actively involve parents in the help process and to strengthen their trust in counseling and support services.

"The cooperation between the institutions has developed in an exemplary manner over the past few years. We are grateful that we are now able to intensify this cooperation - for the benefit of the young people in our region," says Christine Buchheit, Mayor for the Environment, Youth, Schools and Education in the city of Freiburg.

Successful multi-professional cooperation

"The close cooperation between the Pediatric Child Protection Center and the youth welfare offices in the region is an ideal example of successful multi-professional cooperation," says Prof. Dr. Frederik Wenz, Medical Director of the Medical Center - University of Freiburg, "the understanding of the actors from different fields of work and networked action must continue to be promoted."

An interdisciplinary team of pediatricians, psychologists and social workers work together at the Pediatric Child Protection Center (KiZ Frühe Hilfen und Kinderschutz). The specialists support families, especially those with infants and young children, in stressful situations and provide them with practical help.

In addition to the KiZ of the Medical Center - University of Freiburg, the city of Freiburg, the district of Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald and the district of Emmendingen are also involved in the revision of the cooperation.