SPD on families

The SPD wants to give Berlin's districts more money for Hilfen zur Erziehung (support services for families raising children) and to change how the funds are distributed. It regards these services as a key part of child protection.

Some families need help with raising their children. The districts pay for this help. The SPD wants to give the districts more money for it. The money should be shared more fairly.

The districts are to be funded well enough to meet their legal duties in child-raising support. The formula for distributing the money is to be reformed so that districts with high need are not put at a disadvantage. The SPD also wants to expand pilot projects that offer social counseling to families in pediatricians' offices. Youth welfare offices are meant to act as strong partners for families.

The SPD wants families to receive the Kita-Gutschein (daycare voucher) on their child's first birthday without having to apply. This is meant to ease the burden on families and daycare managers.

Parents in Berlin need a voucher for a daycare place. Today they have to apply for it. The SPD wants the voucher to arrive automatically on the child's first birthday.

The automatic voucher would cover the existing legal entitlement to five to seven hours of care. The administration's software procedures are to be adapted for this. When a voucher is requested, eligibility for the berlinpass-BuT (a pass for low-income families) would be checked automatically. The introduction of the participation supplement planned for 2027 is to be made easier for families.

The SPD wants to expand recreational facilities for children and teenagers and create free meeting places in public spaces. Young people should have places that belong to them and where they have a say. A yearly culture credit for young adults is to return.

Young people should get more places to meet. They do not have to pay there. The SPD also wants more leisure programs and better playgrounds. Young adults should get 50 euros a year for culture.

For the so-called JugendOrte (youth places), money and staff in the districts are to be secured permanently by law. Noise protection rules are to be changed so that young people are not pushed out of public spaces. With the "Jugendkulturkarte," Berliners aged 18 to 23 would again receive a 50-euro culture credit each year. Easy-to-reach contact points for young people in mental health crises are to be expanded. The SPD wants to step up playground renovation programs and strengthen the districts' playground commissions.

The SPD wants targeted support for single parents, including a state program for household help and discounted tickets. The Familienpass (family pass) is to be expanded. The program sees family as diverse and names single-parent, blended, rainbow and traditional families.

The SPD wants to help single parents more. They should be able to get help at home. The state pays part of the cost. There should also be cheaper entry tickets. The family pass should include more offers.

For single parents, the plan includes discounted one-parent tickets at state institutions, more counseling centers and a stronger network. Financial aid and mobility offers such as a cheaper social ticket are to be extended. The new state program is to give easy access to flexible household help and everyday support. The SPD is examining whether to turn the free student transit ticket into a free Deutschlandticket. At the federal level it wants a modern family law and an updated Unterhaltsvorschuss (advance on child support); it also aims for flexible work models and childcare that meets demand.