[Child and youth care: ambulant and non-ambulant]

Area of Science:

• Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
• Social Work
• Pediatrics

Context:

• Focus on community-based, ambulant care for children with serious behavioral problems aims to maintain them within their family environment.
• The policy of "Ambulantisierung" (enhancing outpatient care) has been prominent for two decades, seeking to minimize out-of-home placements.
• This shift has coincided with a reduced availability and perceived value of residential childcare services.

Purpose:

• To evaluate the merits and challenges of prioritizing ambulant care for children with behavioral issues.
• To explore the relationship between the emphasis on outpatient services and the decline in residential care options.
• To advocate for a balanced approach integrating both ambulatory and non-ambulatory services.

Summary:

• The study examines the trend towards community-based ambulant care for children with serious behavioral problems, emphasizing family-based support and avoidance of out-of-home placement.
• It highlights that while this policy has benefits, it has also led to a decrease in residential childcare services.
• Drawing on a theoretical model of family support and empirical data, the paper argues for a complementary role of both ambulant and residential services.

Impact:

• Recommends a complementary model where both ambulant and non-ambulatory services work together.
• Advocates for professional support systems that cater to children and families needing diverse care solutions.
• Encourages a balanced perspective on child welfare services, recognizing the value of different care modalities.