Free Online Training for School Companions: A Complete Guide
10 min
The demand for school companions (professionals who support children with special needs in mainstream schools) is growing rapidly in Germany. More and more children with disabilities or additional support needs attend regular schools. [1] At the same time, there is no standardised training pathway for this important role. [4] This makes professional development more important than ever.
The good news is that free online training options now exist. They are flexible, accessible, and designed for busy professionals. If you want to get started right away, Diingu offers a free introductory course: Fundamentals of School Companionship. In this article, you will learn why training matters, which topics are essential, and how to begin your learning journey at no cost.
Why Training for School Companions Matters
No Standardised Qualification Path
In Germany, school companionship (known as "Schulbegleitung") is not a formally recognised profession with a unified training pathway. There are no nationally binding minimum standards for qualifications. [4] Requirements vary significantly between federal states and service providers (the organisations that employ school companions). [6] This means many school companions start their work without specific preparation.
This is exactly where professional development comes in. It helps build essential knowledge. It provides confidence in daily work. And it improves the quality of support for children.
Growing Complexity of the Role
The tasks of school companions are becoming increasingly diverse. They support children with very different needs, including:
- Autism spectrum conditions (a developmental difference affecting social interaction and communication)
- ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, which affects concentration and impulse control)
- Physical disabilities and chronic health conditions
- Learning disabilities and speech disorders
- Anxiety disorders and depression
Each of these areas requires specific knowledge. Only with proper understanding can school companions provide truly effective support. Diingu offers dedicated courses on many of these topics, such as Autism Spectrum Conditions and ADHD.
Teachers Want Qualified Support
A representative survey by Forsa shows that teachers are generally open to inclusion (the practice of educating children with and without disabilities together). However, they often rate the qualifications of support staff as insufficient. [5] Well-trained school companions are urgently needed. They are a crucial building block for successful inclusion.
Benefits of Free Online Training
Learn Flexibly, Anytime and Anywhere
Many school companions work part-time. Their daily schedules are often packed. Attending in-person events can be difficult to fit in. Online training solves this problem. It offers:
- Flexible scheduling: Learn in the evening, on weekends, or during school holidays
- Location independence: No commuting required
- Self-paced learning: Repeat content, pause, and continue as needed
- Instant access: Start immediately, no waiting lists
Removing Financial Barriers
Working conditions in school companionship can be challenging. Salaries are often low. [6] Paid training programmes represent a real barrier for many professionals. Free online courses make professional development accessible to everyone. This is especially important for career changers (people transitioning into school companionship from other professions).
Consistent Quality
A major advantage of online platforms is that content is uniformly structured. All participants receive the same knowledge. This helps compensate for the lack of national standards. [4] Quality online courses are developed by experts and regularly updated.
Essential Topics for School Companion Training
The following overview shows the most important subject areas for professional development. It is based on current professional requirements for school companions. [1] [2]
Foundational Knowledge
If you are new to school companionship, you need a solid foundation first. Key topics include:
- What is school companionship? Tasks, roles, and boundaries in the school day
- Legal foundations: Which laws govern school companionship? The most important ones are SGB VIII (Child and Youth Welfare Act) and SGB IX (Rehabilitation and Participation Act). [2]
- Understanding inclusion: What does inclusion look like in practice? How do teachers, school companions, and children work together?
Diingu offers a free course on Legal Foundations that explains the most important laws in a clear and practical way.
Specific Conditions and Support Needs
School companions work with children who need very different kinds of support. The better you understand each child's specific situation, the more effectively you can help. Important areas include:
| Area | Examples |
|---|---|
| Mental health conditions | Autism, ADHD, depression, anxiety disorders, social phobia, selective mutism |
| Physical disabilities | Mobility limitations, chronic illnesses, Type 1 diabetes |
| Intellectual disabilities | Learning disabilities, intellectual disability, Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) |
| Speech and communication | Speech and language disorders |
Practical tip: Start by learning about the specific condition of the child you are supporting. This way, you can be well prepared from day one. Diingu offers specialised courses on many conditions, for example on Depression, Social Phobia, or Physical Disabilities and Chronic Conditions.
Child Protection and Safeguarding
One of the most important topics for all school companions is safeguarding (the duty to protect children from neglect and harm). Under Section 8a of SGB VIII, all professionals in child and youth welfare have a special responsibility. [2] School companions spend a lot of time with children. They are often the first to notice signs of problems.
Key questions in this area:
- How do I recognise possible signs of child endangerment?
- What must I do if I have concerns?
- Who should I contact?
- How do I document my observations?
The Diingu course Child Endangerment covers exactly this knowledge. The course Protective and Risk Factors in Childhood and Adolescence provides additional depth.
Communication and Teamwork
School companions do not work in isolation. They are part of a team that includes teachers, parents, therapists, and other professionals. Good communication is therefore essential. Important skills include:
- Active listening: Paying close attention to the child and their caregivers
- Clear agreements: Staying in regular contact with teachers and parents
- Conflict resolution: Handling difficult situations constructively
- Professional boundaries: Maintaining the right balance between closeness and distance
Learn more in the Diingu course Fundamentals of Communication and Conflict Resolution.
Self-Care and Stress Management
Working as a school companion can be emotionally demanding. You experience challenging situations. You carry responsibility for a child. And sometimes you feel pulled in different directions by competing expectations. That is why self-care (consciously looking after your own wellbeing) is not a luxury. It is a necessity.
Practical tips for self-care:
- Use breaks wisely: Even short breaks help you recharge
- Set boundaries: You do not have to solve everything on your own
- Seek exchange: Talk to colleagues about stressful situations
- Use supervision: If your employer offers supervision (professional counselling for practitioners), take part
- Take your own needs seriously: Watch for warning signs like exhaustion or irritability
The Diingu course Self-Care for School Companions offers further strategies and exercises for everyday life.
Current Developments: The Pool Model
An exciting new approach in school companionship is the so-called pool model. In Paderborn, this model is currently being expanded to all inclusive schools. [3] In the pool model, school companions no longer work exclusively with one individual child. Instead, teachers and school companions form a fixed team. Together, they support the entire class.
What Does This Mean for School Companions?
The pool model brings new requirements:
- Teamwork: Close collaboration with teachers and other school companions
- Flexibility: Changing tasks and working with different children
- Broader knowledge: Understanding of various support needs is required
- Communication skills: Regular coordination within the team
If you want to prepare for this future-oriented model, check out the Diingu course The Pool Model in School Companionship.
How to Start Your Free Online Training
Would you like to develop your skills but are unsure where to begin? Here is a simple plan:
Step 1: Build Your Foundation
Start with the basics. Learn about the key tasks, rights, and responsibilities of school companions. Familiarise yourself with the legal framework.
Step 2: Focus on Specific Conditions
Learn about the specific condition or support need of the child you are working with. The more you understand, the better you can help.
Step 3: Develop Additional Skills
Expand your knowledge step by step. Topics like communication, conflict resolution, and self-care will make you more confident in your daily work.
Step 4: Keep Learning
Professional development is not a one-time event. Stay curious. New developments like the pool model show that the field is evolving. And you can evolve with it.
Practical tip: Set a realistic goal. For example: one course per month. This keeps you on track without feeling overwhelmed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need prior experience?
No. Good introductory courses are designed specifically for beginners and career changers. They explain everything from the ground up.
How much time do I need?
This depends on the course. Many online courses can be completed in just a few hours. You can work through the content at your own pace.
Will I receive a certificate?
Many online platforms issue a certificate of completion after finishing a course. You can share this with your employer.
Can my employer support my training?
Yes, many service providers support the professional development of their school companions. Talk to your manager. Ask about time off for learning or the possibility of counting training as working hours.
Is online training enough on its own?
Online training is an excellent building block. However, it does not replace peer exchange, supervision, or hands-on experience. The best approach is to combine different forms of learning.
Additional Important Topics
Beyond the areas already covered, there are further topics that may become relevant in your daily work:
- Dealing with bullying: Children with special needs are more often affected by bullying. School companions can play an important protective role. Learn more in the Diingu course Dealing with Bullying.
- Grief and loss: Sometimes children experience significant losses. School companions should know how to respond with empathy. The course Dealing with Grief and Loss can help.
- First aid: Basic first aid knowledge is essential for every school companion. The course First Aid Basics refreshes your knowledge.
- Suicidality in childhood and adolescence: A sensitive but important topic. The Diingu course Suicidality in Childhood and Adolescence provides essential knowledge for handling this subject.
Related Training at Diingu
Diingu offers a total of 22 free online courses in the area of school companionship. The range covers introductory courses for beginners, specialised courses on various conditions, and additional topics like the pool model, self-care, and communication. All courses are interactive, AI-powered, and specifically designed for professionals in the social sector.
Here is a selection of the most important courses:
Introductory courses (fundamentals):
Courses on mental health conditions:
Courses on physical and intellectual disabilities:
Additional courses (advanced topics):
- The Pool Model in School Companionship
- Self-Care for School Companions
- Communication and Conflict Resolution
- Dealing with Bullying
Start your first course today. Registration is free and straightforward.
Sources and Further Reading
[1] Deutsches Schulportal - Schulbegleitung: Wie Schulbegleiter die Inklusion unterstützen - https://deutsches-schulportal.de/bildungswesen/immer-mehr-kinder-bekommen-unterstuetzung-durch-schulbegleiter/
[2] Springer Fachmedien - Schulbegleitung und Inklusion: Impulse für Fachkräfte - https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-658-50190-7
[3] Padergrün - Poollösung für Schulbegleitungen soll auf alle Inklusionsschulen ausgeweitet werden - https://www.padergruen.de/2026/02/poolloesung-fuer-schulbegleitungen-soll-auf-alle-inklusionsschulen-ausgeweitet-werden/
[4] Deutscher Bildungsserver - Schulbegleiter / Schulassistenz / Integrationshelfer - https://www.bildungsserver.de/bildungswesen-allgemein/schulbegleiter-schulassistenz-integrationshelfer-inklusionshelfer-8290-de.html
[5] Tagesschau - Lehrer offen für Inklusion, Qualifikation unzureichend - https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/gesellschaft/schule-inklusion-umfrage-100.html
[6] MDR - Inklusion: Unter welchen Arbeitsbedingungen Schulbegleiter arbeiten - https://www.mdr.de/nachrichten/deutschland/gesellschaft/inklusion-schulbegleiter-kinder-behinderung-hilfe-assistenz-100.html
[7] Internationaler Bund - Schulbegleitung: Inklusion durch Teilhabe - https://www.internationaler-bund.de/fileadmin/user_upload/storage_ib_redaktion/IB_Portal/Publikationen/Schulbegleitung_Inklusion-durch-Teilhabe.pdf