Salzgitter's Youth Policy in March 2026: Digitalization, Mental Health, and Caretaking of Unaccompanied Minors in Focus

Digital Transformation of the Youth Parliament

In March 2026, the city of Salzgitter took decisive steps toward the digitalization of the youth parliament. The purchase of a professional software license for social media presence significantly improves communication and public relations. This initiative is part of a strategic effort to better integrate young people into political processes.

Additionally, a structured exchange with local politics has been established: starting with the 7th electoral term, meetings will be held twice a year to ensure youth policy topics are directly included in council debates. This measure aims to increase transparency and strengthen youth participation.

Establishment of a Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Service (KJPD)

Another key focus was the establishment of a multidisciplinary team for mental health. The planned KJPD will consist of physicians, social workers, and medical staff, offering both counseling and crisis intervention. The goal is to identify and mitigate mental health issues at an early stage.

The establishment of the KJPD is embedded in the youth welfare planning and responds to the growing need to give mental health a higher priority in youth policy. The service will also provide preventive support and assist parents in organizing necessary assistance.

Caretaking and Handling of Unaccompanied Minors (UMA)

Within the framework of youth welfare, the caretaking of UMA was also a focus. Between 2021 and 2025, the city of Salzgitter recorded a total of 290 caretaking measures, of which more than a third concerned unaccompanied minors. The allocation rate under § 42 b of the Social Code Book VIII was barely or significantly undershot in the years 2022 and 2025, sparking political debate.

The city currently has 7 places in the caretaking group at Elisabethstift and 10 places in Hamberg. Therefore, the structures for accommodating and supporting UMA are limited. The clearing process, which takes place within 14 days, is a central part of integration. It includes health assessments, language acquisition, and educational development.

Future Perspectives

The measures implemented by Salzgitter in youth policy in March 2026 indicate a clear shift toward greater participation, stronger mental health support, and better integration of UMA. The digitalization of the youth parliament will improve communication and involvement, while the KJPD will provide essential support for mentally burdened young people. At the same time, the city must continue to push for increased capacity and better regional distribution in the accommodation of UMA.

The experiences of the past years show that youth policy in Salzgitter must be increasingly integrated into everyday life – not only in physical spaces, but also in decision-making processes, digital platforms, and social structures.