Ich könnt' das nicht ("I couldn't do that")

More than 4, 000 people work for Munich's Department of Social Services. Among them are social workers, special education professionals, foster care specialists, adoption counselors, emergency foster carers, and staff working in the Office for Housing and Migration. They are part of a system that is present everywhere, yet rarely receives public attention. This is despite the fact that it constitutes a fundamental element of the welfare state and a central pillar of democracy: child and youth welfare services. Established under Book VIII of the German Social Code (SGB VIII), child and youth welfare services encompass preventive, supportive, and protective responsibilities. These include youth work programs, support for families in crisis situations, and interventions in cases where a child's well-being is at risk. In 2024, approximately 70, 000 minors were taken into temporary protective custody by youth welfare offices across Germany. On average, these placements lasted 62 days. Alongside the challenges of their daily work, social service professionals are increasingly affected by budget cuts and austerity measures. This photographic essay portrays the people who carry out this work and confront realities that many prefer not to see. Every day, they contribute to ensuring the safety and well-being of some of the most vulnerable members of society. Through photographs and accompanying texts, the project offers an insight into a system that helps hold democratic society together, while also revealing stories of hope, contradiction, responsibility, emotional strain, and moments of joy.