Social counseling and support

In cooperation with AWO Ludwigsburg, Caritas Ludwigsburg-Waiblingen-Enz, DRK Kreisverband Ludwigsburg and the Association of Protestant Church Districts (Diakonie), the Ludwigsburg District Office's 333 (Social Service Asylum 1), 334 (Social Service Asylum 2) and 335 (Social Service Asylum 3) departments are responsible for social counseling and support for temporarily housed refugees, ethnic German repatriates and Jewish immigrants in the Ludwigsburg district.

The employees of the six social services jointly perform the social care and counseling tasks in accordance with the Refugee Reception Act directly on site in the district's state-run shared accommodation facilities.

The advice and support covers everyday topics such as kindergarten and school, work and training, dealing with authorities and institutions, social services as well as specific issues relating to residence rights, health and language courses.

The work of the social service is always aimed at "helping people to help themselves". The employees of the social service

• provide assistance, advice and information on all aspects of the asylum procedure
• help to identify and care for people in need of protection and provide support when applying for medical aids
• provide information on the rights and obligations of residents
  (e.g. with regard to the house rules applicable in the shared accommodation)
• are the point of contact for help in dealing with general personal and social problems
• are involved in developing a life perspective for the refugee for the duration of their stay in Germany
• carry out educational and social activities with refugees and citizens from the area surrounding the facility
• promote mutual understanding and work towards peaceful coexistence between refugees and the host society

In cooperation with AWO Ludwigsburg, Caritas Ludwigsburg-Waiblingen-Enz, DRK Kreisverband Ludwigsburg and the Association of Protestant Church Districts (Diakonie), the Ludwigsburg District Office's 333 (Social Service Asylum 1), 334 (Social Service Asylum 2) and 335 (Social Service Asylum 3) departments also perform social tasks for refugees in follow-up accommodation in the district's municipalities in accordance with the Refugee Reception Act.

The responsible social workers look after and advise refugees in the follow-up accommodation who do not have a residence permit but whose stay in Germany is permitted or tolerated.

The advice and support includes helping with various applications, e.g. under the Asylum Seekers' Benefits Act, as well as providing advice on everyday issues such as housing, employment and health insurance, health or dealing with authorities and institutions.

In addition, the social workers at the accommodation center also act as guides to various institutions for recognized refugees who are housed in the municipal accommodation centers.

Pact for integration

The state of Baden-Württemberg adopted the "Pact for Integration" on 27.04.2017. The state is thus promoting the nationwide provision of social counseling for refugees. Integration managers offer refugees direct and individualized social planning. The aim is to support people living in municipal accommodation with their long-term integration. The district of Ludwigsburg began implementing this on 01.01.2018.

The integration managers advise refugees individually and work with them to develop prospects for their lives and future and, in particular, work towards strengthening their independence. The aim is to enable refugees to gain an overview of existing structures and offers for integration and participation and to be able to use these independently. The implementation of integration management is carried out by employees of the district and the welfare organizations involved in refugee care.

The social work of the follow-up accommodation is closely networked with the return counseling for refugees.

The social workers in the district's shared accommodation centers maintain a close network with volunteers and are the direct contact for local civic engagement. This network is also maintained by the social workers in the follow-up accommodation.

In addition, the information and coordination office for volunteers at the Ludwigsburg district office acts as an interface between volunteers and the district office and provides advice, for example, on cross-housing projects.