A school assistant (in German: Schulbegleitung, Schulassistenz or Integrationshilfe) supports a child in lessons so that they can take part in school life. In Germany, this is an integration assistance benefit and is applied for at the responsible authority, not at the school.
Who is responsible?
For autism or ADHD, it is usually the youth welfare office (Jugendamt), because it concerns a mental disability or the risk of one (Section 35a of Book VIII of the German Social Code). For a physical or intellectual disability, it is usually the integration assistance provider under Book IX of the Social Code. If in doubt, apply to the youth welfare office; otherwise it must pass the application on.
What the application should include
- An informal written application, dated and signed
- A statement from a medical specialist or psychotherapist
- A description from the school of where your child needs help in lessons
- Your own observations from daily life are welcome too
Apply early, ideally several months before the school year begins, and ask for confirmation of receipt. You can object to a refusal within the deadline stated in the decision. Advice centres and parents’ associations can help.
This article is not legal advice. Rules may differ between federal states and local authorities.