Youth Policy in Tübingen: Focus on School Social Work and Youth Participation

Youth Participation in Tübingen: The Youth Council in the Spotlight

On February 13, 2026, from 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM, Tübingen's Youth Council met in the City Hall. The session, titled JGR/017/2026, addressed central topics of youth participation. The public part of the agenda included reports, projects, motions, and information on the budget. Special attention was given to school social work, representation in the accompanying forum for the Europaplatz area, and the appointment of positions within the Youth Council itself.

The event offered young people from Tübingen the opportunity to actively contribute to political processes and help shape decisions. The Youth Council is a central venue for democratic participation and raises awareness among young people about political structures and responsibility.

School Social Work: New Criteria and Challenges

One of the major decisions of the month was the adjustment of the staffing criteria for school social work in Tübingen. The current staffing level amounts to 19.71 full-time equivalents (FTE), significantly above the state average of 14.84 FTE. Nevertheless, in the course of the 2025 budget consolidation, the city conducted a review of the staffing model to distribute resources more efficiently.

The new staffing model takes into account more realistic parameters such as contact time, core tasks, and special needs in primary schools depending on class size. For secondary schools, the calculation is based on class numbers and other factors. The goal is to strengthen staffing at smaller primary schools while also reducing the workload for school social workers.

This adjustment was developed by a project group involving the administration, schools, and parents. The administration now proposes the implementation of the newly developed baseline staffing model as a binding basis for staffing decisions, in order to more objectively assess the need for school social work.

Funding and Cooperation: Challenges Remain

The funding of school social work remains a sensitive issue. Tübingen covers 75% of the costs, with the district covering 25% (after deducting state funding). However, there are inequalities in the level of support: grammar schools that are not full-day schools, and local primary schools, receive only partial support. The administration now plans to review and, if necessary, revise contracts with independent providers to make the funding more transparent and fair.

Another goal is to strengthen the cooperation structures between schools, the administration, and independent providers. The project group also addressed topics such as training, supervision, and contact hours to ensure quality standards. The new models are intended to be gradually implemented during personnel changes to ensure a smooth transition.

Outlook: Stability and Further Development

The decisions made in February 2026 show that Tübingen is consciously committed to a sustainable and fair framework for youth support. Strengthening school social work and securing youth participation are central pillars of future-oriented urban development. With the adjustment of staffing criteria and more transparent funding, Tübingen will be able to maintain a model function in the region in the coming years.