Services

Social Work

In order to come to terms with traumatic experiences, the psychological condition of an individual is of central importance. Social work care complements the psychotherapeutic and medical treatment of the patient, with a particular focus on the psychosocial consequences of the experience of trauma and, afterwards, life in exile. Social, residency, migration and integration problems are fundamental problem areas for these persons. At the Center ÜBERLEBEN, social workers work in the following areas: in the Children and Adolescent Department, in the Adult Department, in the Day Clinic and in the Housing Community and Department Refugee Help and Migrant Support.

Therapeutic treatment can only be effective if it is carried out in a stable setting. Stability in this sense also means certainty of a safe place to live. In order to support our patients, the social workers require a wide knowledge of laws relating to refugees and foreigners, as well as particular social legislation.

Working in close cooperation with the medical staff, the social workers are involved in the complete treatment process: from the first contact, where the initial social work-related interventions often occur, through the social case history, the treatment plan, social-pedagogical interventions and documentation of these, as well as assistance during rehabilitation and integration processes, up until counseling in the process of aftercare.

The social workers assist patients by advising and informing them about foreigener law and social law, German courses, and training and employment opportunities. They provide contacts to lawyers, technical services, medical professionals and counselling services. During the treatment process, they act as a go-between for the affected persons, professions and institutions, and together with the medical staff, they assist in crisis situations that may arise.

The social workers also support patients through administrative processes with authorities, and the assertion of rights to benefits, as well as making contact with voluntary and professional carers in cooperation with social-psychiatric and youth services.

In addition to caring and counselling individual patients, our social workers also take part in planning and undertaking group sessions, particularly those related to the subjects of life in exile and reintegration in employment.

Our social workers participate in regular supervision and further training courses, and contribute to various regional and transnational expert panels in the area of refugees and humanitarian affairs.

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