Fields of work in child and youth work:

Children’s and youth associations are places of self-determination and practiced democracy. In the associations, young people shape their own children’s and youth work and learn to take responsibility for themselves and others. The most diverse interests and social areas are also reflected in the youth associations. For example, socio-educational activities are organized for young people - outside of family and school - and topics such as sport, games, art, technology, civil protection, religion, human rights, social policy, environmental protection and many more are covered. There is a youth association for every topic and every interest. Many children’s and youth associations are networked with each other, for example through the municipal, state and federal youth associations. To get an idea of how many different youth associations exist in Saxony alone, there is an overview of most of Saxony’s youth associations on the website of the Kinder- und Jugendring Sachsen.

This form of child and youth work is an open structure that is designed to be voluntary and participatory. Young people can visit facilities such as youth centers, adventure playgrounds or other leisure facilities free of charge, without membership or preconditions. The aim is for children and young people to contribute their own ideas and take advantage of the offers that interest them. They should be encouraged to create their own spaces and projects and thus actively participate in social interaction. The open offers, usually youth clubs, are often located in a district or village and are therefore at the heart of the social space of the young people living there. You can find more information in the video below.

Acceptance and low-threshold are important principles for the services offered by mobile child and youth work. Local knowledge and experience regarding the life situations of young people play an important role in the field of work. The forms of mobile youth work can vary. For example, street work or outreach work as well as individual support and advice are the typical activities of mobile youth work. However, services for cliques and groups as well as community-oriented work can also be part of mobile youth work. What they all have in common is that they are characterized by an outreach character: This means that they work directly in the living environment and surroundings of young people. This is particularly important in rural areas, where young people are otherwise difficult to reach. Mobile youth work accompanies and supports young people in their everyday lives. Here too, the focus is on the needs, wishes and concerns of young people. Mobile youth work offers its support, but does not impose it.