Upper Austria invests in school social work

From not doing homework, to the pain of parents separating, to suicidal thoughts: children and young people can turn to school social work (SuSa) with all their problems and concerns. Since the need for help is constantly increasing, the state is investing around 710,000 euros and increasing the number of full-time SuSa positions at Upper Austria’s compulsory schools from 52 to 62, as Deputy Governor Christine Haberlander (VP) announced at a press conference on Wednesday.

74 school social workers currently provide preventive, free and confidential support to around 50,000 students at 250 of more than 800 compulsory schools in Upper Austria and are an essential part of the multi-professional teams. “In the last school year, 3,500 care sessions were carried out and the trend continues to rise,” says Theresia Schlöglmann, head of the state’s child and youth welfare department, adding: “School social work focuses on families. It is not only for children but also for parents and teachers accessible.”

The distribution of social workers is based on socio-economic stress factors. There is no Upper Austrian region that has no care at all. If a school reports a need, it will be met, says health officer Haberlander.

SuSa postboxes at schools

All schools served have their own SuSa mailbox. “The students can throw in pieces of paper with their name and class,” says Johanna Gruber, Vöcklabruck specialist team leader. The social worker is present in three schools every week, develops strategies with those affected and also works with other support services, such as school psychology. “We can adapt very well to the needs, for example we also make home visits and then talk to everyone involved,” says Gruber, who appreciates the diversity of her job, the positive feedback on her job and being able to help people directly.

Now the ten new SuSa full-time positions, which are planned not only for the central area but also for Freistadt, Grieskirchen or Ried, are being advertised and should be filled as quickly as possible, emphasized Haberlander. This will make it possible to offer assistance at 50 additional compulsory schools.

SPÖ education spokeswoman Doris Margreiter generally welcomes the expansion, but criticizes the fact that the increase to 100 full-time employees was not implemented by the end of 2013 as decided. In addition, there is still a long way to go until close support is available.