Social Spending Cuts 2026: What's at Stake for School Support and Inclusion

What Happened? The Internal Document Explained

In April 2026, an internal working paper became public. It was produced by a joint federal-state working group involving the Federal Ministry of Finance, German states, and municipalities. The document contains more than 70 proposed cuts totalling over 8.6 billion euros [1].

The Paritätischer Gesamtverband (one of Germany's largest umbrella organisations for social welfare) shared the document with the press. They described it as a "frontal attack on inclusion and children's rights" [1]. The disability news portal Kobinet called it a "horror list of cuts" [4].

Federal Minister for the Chancellery Thorsten Frei responded evasively in the Bundestag. He described the paper as merely a "non-agreed list of proposals" [5]. But for professionals and families working in the social sector, the situation is serious.

If you want to better understand the legal foundations of your work right now, Diingu offers a free introductory course: Legal Foundations of School Support. Knowing your rights has never been more important.

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The Individual Right to School Support Is Under Threat

What Is School Support?

School support (also called school assistance or inclusion support) means: a child with a disability or special educational needs receives a dedicated support worker. This person assists the child directly during the school day. It may be necessary for children with physical, intellectual, or psychological impairments.

The legal right to school support is currently enshrined in § 112 SGB IX (the German Social Code, Book Nine, which governs rehabilitation and participation for people with disabilities). It guarantees 1:1 support – one worker for one child [4].

What Is Being Proposed?

The working paper proposes scrapping this individual legal right [4]. Instead, the pool model would become the standard. Under the pool model, one support worker looks after several children at the same time [6].

The estimated savings from cuts to school support alone amount to three billion euros [4].

The problem is clear: the pool model is currently only permitted as an exception. It is only allowed when it genuinely meets the needs of each individual child. If parents lose their individual legal entitlement, they can no longer insist on one-to-one support – even when the pool model demonstrably fails their child [6].

Children most affected would include those with:

• Autism spectrum conditions (a group of developmental conditions affecting social interaction and communication)
• ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, a neurodevelopmental condition affecting concentration and impulse control)
• Intellectual disabilities (lasting limitations in cognitive functioning)
• Psychosocial disabilities (mental health conditions that permanently affect everyday life)

To understand what the pool model actually means in practice, Diingu offers a free course: The Pool Model in School Support. It explains the model clearly – including where it reaches its limits.

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Disability Services and Child Welfare: Further Cuts Planned

What Is Eingliederungshilfe (Disability Support)?

Eingliederungshilfe (disability integration support under SGB IX, which helps people with disabilities participate in society) is a central pillar of the German social system. It funds school support, housing assistance, and employment support for people with disabilities.

The working paper proposes the following cuts in this area [7]:

• Restricting access to disability support services
• Capping adjustments for wage and price increases
• Raising co-payments (the share that individuals must pay themselves)
• Reducing the scope and standards of services

This directly affects people with physical, intellectual, and psychosocial disabilities.

What Is Kinder- und Jugendhilfe (Child and Youth Welfare)?

Child and youth welfare (services under SGB VIII, the German Child and Youth Welfare Act) covers support for families in difficult situations. This includes Sozialpädagogische Familienhilfe (intensive in-home family support) and other forms of educational assistance.

This area is also directly targeted by the proposed cuts [1][3]. The director general of the Paritätischer explicitly condemned the reductions in services for children and young people [8].

Practitioners working in family support can explore the current legal framework in the Diingu course Legal Foundations of Sociopedagogical Family Support – especially relevant now that changes are looming.

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Legal Overview: What Is at Stake?

The table below shows what the law currently guarantees – and what the proposals would change:

The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD, an international human rights treaty ratified by Germany in 2009) guarantees the right to inclusive education (learning together for people with and without disabilities). Experts warn that the planned cuts threaten Germany's ability to fulfil this human rights obligation [9].

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What Are Experts and Organisations Saying?

Reactions to the working paper have been sharp and clear:

• The Federal Commissioner for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities described the paper as "a push to hollow out participation rights" (hollowing out rights means making them gradually meaningless). He stressed: this is about implementing human rights – not optional extras [9].

• The disability commissioners of Germany's federal states joined in the warning [9].

• The Sozialverband Deutschland (SoVD) (Germany's Social Association) said the plans revealed a "fatal view of humanity" [8].

• The Autismus-Stiftung (Autism Foundation) called the contents a "shock" and noted that many affected families have no idea these plans exist [4].

• Human Rights Watch had already warned in September 2025 that social reforms must be guided by human rights standards [11].

In the Bundestag, a special parliamentary debate on cuts to disability support took place on 23 April 2026 [5]. A public petition (Petition 195716) against the cuts was also submitted and published [10].

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What Does This Mean for Practitioners?

If these plans are implemented, the daily work of many social sector professionals will change significantly:

For school support workers:

• More children per worker – less time for individual support
• Greater pressure and responsibility
• Uncertainty about job security

For child and youth welfare practitioners:

• Fewer resources for families in difficult situations
• Increased administrative burden
• Possible cuts to educational support services

For organisations and providers:

• Less funding despite equal or greater need
• More difficult workforce planning

Professionals who stay informed and build their knowledge now will be better prepared. The Diingu course Foundations of School Support provides a solid starting point – free and available at any time.

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What Can Those Affected Do Right Now?

Here are practical steps for practitioners, parents, and anyone concerned:

1. Stay informed: Follow reporting on this topic. Reliable sources include the Paritätischer Gesamtverband, Kobinet-Nachrichten, and Deutschlandfunk.

2. Support the petition: Petition 195716 against cuts to disability support can be signed via the German Bundestag's petition platform [10].

3. Know your legal rights: Understanding your entitlements helps you defend them. The Diingu course Legal Foundations of School Support explains § 112 SGB IX in plain language.

4. Use your networks: Connect with colleagues and professional associations. Collective voices carry more weight.

5. Take care of yourself: Uncertainty is exhausting. The Diingu course Self-Care for School Support Workers offers practical strategies for staying well under pressure.

6. Talk to families: Many parents are unaware of these plans. Share information and help them understand what may change.

7. Engage politically: Write to your elected representatives. Attend events and demonstrations. Make your voice heard.

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Related Training at Diingu

The proposed cuts affect many areas of social work at once. Now is a good time to strengthen your knowledge. Diingu offers free introductory courses on all the relevant topics:

• The Pool Model in School Support – understand what the pool model means and where it falls short
• Legal Foundations of School Support – § 112 SGB IX and individual entitlements explained clearly
• Foundations of School Support – essential knowledge for anyone working in school support
• Autism Spectrum Conditions – background knowledge for supporting children who rely most on individual assistance
• ADHD – Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder – foundations for supporting children with ADHD
• Introduction to Sociopedagogical Family Support – core knowledge for family support practitioners
• Legal Foundations of Sociopedagogical Family Support – SGB VIII explained in plain language
• Self-Care for School Support Workers – looking after yourself in challenging times

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Sources and Further Reading

[1] Paritätischer Gesamtverband: Massive Kürzungsvorschläge bei Kindern, Jugendlichen und Menschen mit Behinderung (16.04.2026) – https://www.der-paritaetische.de/alle-meldungen/massive-kuerzungsvorschlaege-bei-kindern-jugendlichen-und-menschen-mit-behinderung/

[2] Germanic News: Germany Cuts Social Spending by 8.6 Billion Euros (April 2026) – https://germanic.news/germany-cuts-social-spending-by-8-6-billion-euros-targeting-children-and-disability-support/

[3] BR Nachrichten: Sparpläne – Kürzungen bei Kinder- und Eingliederungshilfe? (16.04.2026) – https://www.br.de/nachrichten/deutschland-welt/sparplaene-kuerzungen-bei-kinder-und-eingliederungshilfe,VGy1hQp

[4] Kobinet-Nachrichten: Sparliste des Grauens – Bundesregierung plant Frontalangriff auf Inklusion und Kinderrechte (16.04.2026) – https://kobinet-nachrichten.org/2026/04/16/sparliste-des-grauens-bundesregierung-plant-frontalangriff-auf-inklusion-und-kinderrechte/

[5] Kobinet-Nachrichten: Aktuelle Stunde zu Kürzungen bei der Eingliederungshilfe im Bundestag (23.04.2026) – https://kobinet-nachrichten.org/2026/04/23/aktuelle-stunde-zu-kuerzungen-bei-der-eingliederungshilfe-im-bundestag/

[6] Autismus-Stiftung: Schulbegleitung in Gefahr – Das Geheimpapier (April 2026) – https://autismusstiftung.de/geheimpapier-enthuellt-bund-und-laender-wollen-das-recht-auf-schulbegleitung-abschaffen-und-familien-ahnen-es-kaum/

[7] DGB-Studie: Kürzungen in der Eingliederungshilfe – Zur Empfehlung Nr. 17 – https://www.dgb.de/fileadmin/download_center/Studien/Arbeitsmarkt_Aktuell/DGB_K%C3%BCrzungen_in_der_Eingliederungshilfe_final.pdf

[8] Frankfurter Rundschau: Merz-Regierung plant Kürzungen bei Menschen mit Behinderung (April 2026) – https://www.fr.de/wirtschaft/sozialreform-merz-regierung-plant-kuerzungen-bei-menschen-mit-behinderung-94274397.html

[9] Deutschlandfunk: Behindertenbeauftragte von Bund und Ländern warnen vor Kürzungen (April 2026) – https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/behindertenbeauftragte-von-bund-und-laendern-warnen-vor-kuerzungen-bei-eingliederungsmassnahmen-100.html

[10] Bundestag-Petition 195716: Keine Kürzungen der Eingliederungshilfe (13.04.2026) – https://epetitionen.bundestag.de/petitionen/_2026/_02/_27/Petition_195716.nc.html

[11] Human Rights Watch: Rights Should Guide Welfare Reform Debate in Germany (18.09.2025) – https://www.hrw.org/news/2025/09/18/rights-should-guide-welfare-reform-debate-in-germany