Wegweiser Care leavers · Transition out of youth welfare Deutsch

📋 Aftercare after the end of youth welfare (§ 41a SGB VIII)

Even when support ends, you are entitled to advice and assistance for a reasonable transition period.

§ 41a SGB VIII Aftercare Transition period

In brief

Since the KJSG 2021, § 41a SGB VIII specifically regulates aftercare: within a reasonable period after support for becoming independent has ended, you are advised and assisted to the necessary extent and in a form you can understand. The period and extent should already be documented in the support plan that records the end of support under § 41 SGB VIII – the Jugendamt should also contact you on its own initiative at regular intervals.

Step by step

  1. Raise aftercare explicitlyAt the support planning meeting on the end of support, ask explicitly about aftercare and have its extent and duration documented.
  2. Exchange contact detailsMake sure you can be reached after support ends – and vice versa.
  3. Name specific topicsName the areas in which you still expect support after support ends, e.g. dealing with authorities, finances, flat hunting.
  4. Take the initiative yourselfIf the Jugendamt does not get in touch on its own, contact it yourself – the entitlement remains.
  5. Consider a new applicationIf aftercare is not enough, consider whether a new application for support under § 41 SGB VIII makes sense.

Deadlines

No fixed period
The law speaks of a "reasonable period", set case by case in the support plan – no nationwide uniform duration is prescribed.§ 41a SGB VIII
Watch out – common mistakes
  • Aftercare does not replace support for young adults – it is lower-threshold (advice/assistance), but not renewed full-time care or funding of accommodation.
  • Because the duration is not set by law, youth welfare offices handle it differently in practice – insist on a specific period in the support plan rather than a vague promise.
  • § 41a SGB VIII is still new (since 2021) – so far there is little published case law on how "reasonable" is to be interpreted in a dispute.
In depth · legal basis, figures and practice – for advisers and professionals

Why § 41a SGB VIII was introduced

Before the KJSG, support under § 41 SGB VIII often ended all contact with the Jugendamt abruptly as well. With § 41a SGB VIII the legislator wanted to create a "soft transition" and thereby counter the break described in the specialist debate (including Careleaver e. V., DJI) when youth welfare ends abruptly.

Relationship to other advice services

Aftercare under § 41a SGB VIII does not rule out using independent services such as Careleaver e. V. or the ombudsman office – both can be used in parallel.

Who is responsible
  • The Jugendamt that last provided support
Further reading
Support for young adults (§ 41 SGB VIII)Advice and contact points for care leavers

Quick questions

Worum geht es bei „Aftercare after the end of youth welfare (§ 41a SGB VIII)“?
Even when support ends, you are entitled to advice and assistance for a reasonable transition period.
Which deadlines and figures matter?
No fixed period: The law speaks of a "reasonable period", set case by case in the support plan – no nationwide uniform duration is prescribed.
What should I do first?
  • Raise aftercare explicitly: At the support planning meeting on the end of support, ask explicitly about aftercare and have its extent and duration documented.
  • Exchange contact details: Make sure you can be reached after support ends – and vice versa.
  • Name specific topics: Name the areas in which you still expect support after support ends, e.g. dealing with authorities, finances, flat hunting.
Evidence
  • § 41a SGB VIII (gesetze-im-internet.de, retrieved September 2026)
  • Child and Youth Strengthening Act (KJSG), BGBl. 2021 I S. 1444
As of

September 2026 · Sources and method

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