Zwischen Recht und Hilfe: Soziale Arbeit im Kontext des Jugendstrafrechts

This article examines the role of social work within juvenile justice systems, focusing on child protection, interdisciplinary cooperation, and professional practice. Juvenile justice interventions involve complex interactions between legal frameworks, forensic assessments, and the individual life situations of young people. While legal and forensic procedures provide essential foundations for decision-making, their effectiveness depends largely on social work practice, which aims at support, prevention, and social reintegration. Drawing on a literature-based review of international sources, the article argues that social work should be understood as an equal and indispensable actor within juvenile justice systems.