School support for children with emotional and social developmental difficulties
When emotions become overwhelming and the school day threatens to descend into conflict, children can quickly feel alone – and parents often feel helpless. A school support worker stands calmly by your child’s side, defusing tension before situations escalate, and helps to transform difficult moments into positive relationships. As much support as needed, as little as possible.
How emotional and social developmental disorders manifest in everyday school life
Every child is different – but we encounter these situations particularly frequently in everyday school life.
- Intense emotional outbursts: anger, frustration or fear erupt violently and are difficult to regulate from within.
- Conflicts with classmates and teachers: Tensions arise quickly and sometimes escalate before anyone can intervene.
- Difficulty accepting rules and boundaries: Instructions are perceived as an attack; requests trigger resistance rather than cooperation.
- Swings between withdrawal and aggression: at times the child withdraws completely; at others, they react excessively – often without any apparent trigger.
- Fragile relationships: Friendships are hard to maintain; the child quickly feels hurt or excluded.
How our support helps
Our support workers focus on where the pressure is greatest – and work with your child step by step.
- De-escalating and relieving pressure: We recognise tension early on and defuse situations before they spiral out of control → low-arousal de-escalation
- Practising emotion regulation: Together, we find ways to recognise, name and make sense of strong emotions → our methods
- Supporting and interpreting social situations: We help to untangle misunderstandings with others and resolve conflicts without escalation → our methods
- A strong relationship as a foundation: Reliability and genuine understanding create the sense of security from which your child can venture into new experiences.
- Independence as the goal: We withdraw our support as soon as your child no longer needs it.
Legal basis & application
If a mental disability is the primary issue, the Youth Welfare Office is usually responsible – typically on the basis of Section 35a of Book VIII of the Social Code (SGB VIII) (integration support for children and young people with mental disabilities). Whether a school support service is suitable and eligible for approval in an individual case depends on your child’s specific situation and is decided by the relevant funding body. We will guide you through the entire process and help you take the right steps.
Qualifications of our support workers
Our support workers undergo a multi-stage selection process and are trained at our own Splash Academy. When providing support for children with emotional and social developmental disorders, we place particular emphasis on de-escalation, relationship-building and maintaining a calm, respectful approach, even in tense situations.
Frequently asked questions
My child is often aggressive at school – can a school support worker actually help in this situation?
Yes. In such cases, it is particularly important to recognise tension early on and defuse situations before they escalate. Our support workers take a calm, relationship-focused approach and help your child find alternative ways of dealing with strong emotions.
Will my child be labelled a ‘problem child’ because of the support?
That’s an understandable concern. Our support is designed to help, not to monitor. We take a low-key approach, encourage your child’s independence and step back as soon as they no longer need our help.
Who is responsible for the application?
In the case of a mental disability, the Youth Welfare Office is usually responsible, generally under Section 35a of SGB VIII. The final decision is made by the funding body on a case-by-case basis. We’ll support you every step of the way with the application.
What if my child refuses the support at first?
This happens and is normal. A strong relationship doesn’t develop overnight. Our support workers proceed gently, build trust and take the pressure off, rather than forcing anything.
Does the school support service work together with teachers and us as parents?
Yes. Effective support depends on coordination with teachers, the school and you as parents. Together, we ensure a reliable environment in which your child can feel at ease.
Let’s talk about your child
In a free initial consultation, we’ll discuss your child’s needs, the application process and the next steps – with no obligation.
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Our own Splash Academy · Multi-stage selection process · Support at mainstream and special schools
This page is for information purposes only and does not replace medical or legal advice. The decision as to whether school support is appropriate and eligible for funding is made by the relevant funding body on a case-by-case basis.