Refugee families come from various political, cultural, and religious backgrounds. The recent wave of refugees due to the conflict with Russia in Ukraine brought not only Ukrainian families but also unaccompanied minors and children to Germany. These refugees often suffer from traumas associated with the war, such as traumatic experiences, losses, severed relationships, fears, or even psychological disorders.

For a Ukrainian family that has fled their country, the first challenge they will face is overcoming the language barrier. The language barrier can lead to difficulties in integration and even hamper access to essential services such as education, healthcare, and child and youth services. To enable successful integration and participation in the education system for these refugees, child and youth services need to provide appropriate language support.

Like other refugee families, these refugees will also need to adapt culturally, as they are accustomed to norms and values from their culture. Since Ukrainian families have fled their country due to the war, traumatic experiences may be associated with this, which can lead to psychological distress that needs to be appropriately treated. Child and youth services will need to focus on these three areas. They should have in-depth knowledge of intercultural competence, trauma counseling expertise, and provide culturally-sensitive support.

To ensure fair and just development for each child, child and youth services should take an individual approach when examining the situation of each Ukrainian refugee child. The professionals in child and youth services should be open to refugee children and be aware of their values and norms. It is necessary for the staff to have a sound education and to continue developing their expertise. Here, the appropriate resources, legislation, and cooperation on both regional and national levels are also essential. The youth welfare office also has the responsibility of safeguarding children's welfare, not only by advising and accompanying refugee children but also by watching over their well-being.

In conclusion, supporting refugee families requires a multi-faceted approach that takes into account unique circumstances such as language barriers, cultural differences, and the trauma of fleeing from a war-torn country. By providing necessary support and ensuring adequate resources and legal provisions, we can aid refugees in their integration process and promote a cohesive society where every individual has equal opportunities to thrive.