The European view of child social care: Less procedure, more affection

Stefan Kleipoedszus is a German-trained social pedagogue, advising the government on the philosophy here. He has worked in residential care homes both in the UK and Europe

April 21, 2009 / The Guardian

"As a social pedagogue, [See:  "Who are you calling a pedagogue? ], the idea is to try to help someone to live a more successful everyday life. You take the small opportunities in everyday existence and try to translate them into a learning experience. You can't do that by sitting in an office, you do it by sitting alongside someone watching television, or by being in the kitchen with them, cooking together.

Residential homes here seem to be much more based on procedures. There's a great emphasis on ensuring that all the tick boxes are ticked, which often feels as if it is getting in the way of daily decisions that need to be made.

There is more affection between staff and children in German homes - not just because positive encouragement in the form of a hug is thought to be appropriate at a particular moment, but much more enmeshed in everyday life. If people are watching television, they'll sit closer to each other. There is a more risk averse attitude here. In Germany, the professionals feel more trusted. In the UK, members of staff are under the impression that any kind of allegation of inappropriate behaviour - founded or unfounded - will have an impact on their career.

Social pedagogues can do much of what people here would refer to other services and that helps, because the fewer professionals involved with the care of each child, the better. I once counted up 34 individuals involved in the care of a child here. In Germany you'd have a maximum of five."