This page is initial orientation and does not replace medical or legal advice. If there is immediate danger, call 112 right away.
School and daycare: who helps when there is a problem
School refusal, anxiety, bullying (Mobbing) or dropping grades are often the first signs. In Germany there is free help right at the school, and many families do not know about it.
Who helps at school
- Class teacher (Klassenlehrer): the first and most important contact.
- School social work (Schulsozialarbeit): available at many schools, free and confidential.
- Trusted or counselling teacher (Vertrauenslehrer / Beratungslehrer).
- School psychology service (schulpsychologischer Dienst): above the school, free, for anxiety, school refusal and learning difficulties.
Preparing for the conversation
Go in with concrete examples and without blame: what happens, when and in which situation? Ask the school for their observations too and agree on the next step together. A German conversation template (Gesprächsvorlage) on this site helps; the idea is the same.
When more is needed
If school support is not enough and the signs persist, a psychotherapeutic consultation (Sprechstunde) assesses the situation. How to proceed is on the “The path to help” page.
The search is in German, but you can filter by language (Sprache) to find practitioners who speak English.