Linking refugee families with the host societies. A mixed-methods evaluation study of family education programmes in Germany (Creando vínculos entre las familias refugiadas y las sociedades de acogida. Una evaluación de métodos mixtos sobre los programas de educación familiar en Alemania)

Abstract

ABSTRACT This article examines the situations faced by refugee families in Germany and analyses the role of family education programmes in supporting their inclusion in society. We focus on two internationally implemented and licensed family education programmes, HIPPY and Opstapje, and an adapted three-month bridging format known as Welcome with IMPULS (WmI), all of which involve home visits and group meetings. Our mixed-methods research approach includes qualitative interviews and participant observation (N = 55), and an online survey with the programme coordinators (N = 68). Based on our analysis of 22 family cases and the online survey, we explore and contextualize major challenges refugee families face in Germany and highlight the following central functions of the programmes: (a) building trust via emotional stabilization through long-term relationships with home visitors; and (b) creating social links by connecting refugees with the host society’s institutions. Finally, we discuss the role of the peer-to-peer outreach strategy in the inclusion of refugee families.