Sozialpädagogische Fachstelle

What Sozialpädagogische Fachstelle does

Sozialpädagogische Fachstelle (SoFa) is a Swiss nonprofit social services organization founded in 2011 and headquartered in Zizers, Graubünden, operating as part of the Stiftung Gott hilft foundation. It delivers a continuum of social pedagogical services for children, youth, families, schools, and foster families in the Canton of Graubünden, organized into three divisions: family services (social pedagogical family accompaniment, counseling, youth coaching, and assessments), school services (school social work and the flexible SoBi flex offering), and foster family services (recruitment, supervision, crisis support, and SoFam placements). All foster family services operate under a cantonal authorization as a Familienplatzierungsorganisation (FPO) granted by the Canton of Graubünden since January 2015, with all foster families holding cantonal permits under PAVO. The organization also offers professional development and supervision for external specialists in trauma pedagogy, conflict management, and child protection.

The underlying technology consists of established social pedagogical methodologies rather than a proprietary software platform, including trauma pedagogy (Traumapädagogik), systemic therapy, dialogic-systemic child protection assessment, New Authority (Neue Autorität), Freiburg Social Training, and the #StandUp anti-bullying initiative. Service delivery is in-person, embedded in family homes, schools, and the Zizers office, with a 365-day telephone on-call for foster families. The only digital tool referenced is an internal employee communication app (SGH Mitanand App).

The business model is professional services revenue generated through Leistungsvereinbarungen (service agreements) with municipalities, Schulgemeinden, KESB (child protection authority), and courts, plus individual fee-for-service assessments, family accompaniment, foster placements, and short-term interventions priced via published tariff schedules (Kostenreglemente). Unit prices are modest and publicly disclosed (e.g., traumapädagogik courses at CHF 120–200). The organization is sustained by a hybrid of public mandates, individual family payments, and annual donations from the mariposa stiftung. As a Stiftung-owned nonprofit, it has no equity funding, no M&A activity, and operates within a defined regional footprint across approximately 24 team members.

Name

Sozialpädagogische Fachstelle

Legal name

Stiftung Gott hilft

Website

https://fachstelle-sgh.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Sozialpädagogische Fachstelle (SoFa) is a Swiss nonprofit social services organization in Graubünden, providing social pedagogical family accompaniment, school social work, and authorized foster family placement for children, youth, families, and public authorities since 2011.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social Pedestrianical Services

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Individual and Family Services (6241), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Family & Parenting Support Services (BPAGAEAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Family & Parent Support Services (Parent Coaching, Advocacy) (EDAJALAK), Family & Parenting Education (Family Literacy, Parenting Skills) (EDAAAFAF)

Keywords

• Social pedagogical services
• Foster family placement
• School social work
• Child protection assessment
• Family accompaniment

Headquarters

HQ city

Zizers

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Public social services contracts: Revenue is generated primarily through service agreements with municipalities and public authorities (schools, child protection agencies). The organization holds cantonal authorization from the Canton of Graubünden as a family placement organization (Familienplatzierungsorganisation). Services are funded through Leistungsvereinbarungen with municipalities, KESB (child protection authority) mandates, and court-ordered measures. The organization is a nonprofit part of Stiftung Gott hilft.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Sozialpädagogische Fachstelle is a nonprofit social services agency that delivers social pedagogical family accompaniment (SPF), professional foster family placement and supervision (SoFam), school social work and flexible school services (SoBi flex), social-pedagogical assessments commissioned by courts and child protection authorities, parenting counseling, youth coaching, and specialized professional development courses. Services are commissioned by public authorities (KESB, courts, municipalities, schools) in the Canton of Graubünden and self-referred by families, with delivery primarily in-person at homes, schools, and the Zizers office.

Product overview

Sozialpädagogische Fachstelle (SoFa) is a social services organization operating since 2011 as part of the Stiftung Gott hilft foundation in Graubünden, Switzerland. The organization provides a portfolio of interconnected social work services organized into three main divisions: (1) Foster Family Services (SoFam) covering recruitment, professional supervision, and placement of foster children; (2) School Services (SoBi) including school social work and flexible offerings for educational institutions; and (3) Family Services including social-pedagogical family accompaniment (SPF), assessments, counseling, and youth support. The organization also offers professional development programs and maintains an internal employee communication app. All services operate within a non-profit framework with cantonal authorization for family placement services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Sozialpädagogische Familienbegleitung (SPF) Outreach-based family support service delivered directly in families' homes, offering help for self-help across three service types: short-term concrete consultations (3-5 sessions), voluntary regular family accompaniment (6 months, weekly 2-hour sessions), and officially mandated family accompaniment (6-18 months) for court-ordered child protection measures. For families, parents, and children in Graubünden.
• Schulsozialarbeit (School Social Work) Provides schools with qualified social work professionals and supports the development of school culture, handling pedagogical challenges, and offering direct assistance for children and families. Services include school social work placement, professional support for existing programs, and conceptualization and implementation of new school social work initiatives. For municipal school communities and schools in Graubünden.
• SoBi Flex (Flexible Services for Schools) Flexible social pedagogical services for educational institutions including systematic situation analysis, professional development for schools, case assistance, coaching and team supervision, mediation, prevention and intervention work in classes, and case management coordination. For municipalities, schools, and educational institutions.
• Pflegefamilien / SoFam (Foster Family Services) Comprehensive foster family services including recruitment and preparation of foster families, professional supervision, crisis support with 365-day on-call availability, and placement services (SOS short-term placement up to 3 months, short-term with/without day structure, weekend and vacation care, long-term placement). For prospective and existing foster families, and children requiring out-of-home placement.
• Sozialpädagogische Abklärung (Social-Pedagogical Assessment) Resource and competence-oriented expert assessments commissioned by authorities and courts in child protection. Offers three assessment types: brief situation assessment (3-5 visits), intervention-oriented assessment with question catalog (20-25 visits over 3-4 months), and comprehensive life environment assessment covering all life dimensions. For KESB, courts, and municipalities.
• Sozialpädagogische Beratung (Social-Pedagogical Counseling) Parenting counseling and family council services held at the organization's offices or online, addressing questions about child development, parental stress, separation/divorce support, and family meetings to activate support networks. For parents and families.
• Begleitung für Jugendliche (Youth Support) Adolescent support services including youth counseling and youth coaching, providing confidential and solution-focused assistance for adolescents facing personal difficulties, career guidance, conflicts with parents or peers, and life decisions. For adolescents and youth.
• Fachliche Weiterentwicklung (Professional Development) Professional development offerings for external specialists and institutions, including specialized lectures, case consultations, supervision, and accompaniment services covering topics such as trauma pedagogy, crisis intervention, bullying prevention (#StandUp), conflict management, stress first aid, and school absence. For social work professionals, educators, and institutions.
• Traumapädagogik Courses for Foster Families Courses in trauma pedagogy specifically tailored for foster families. Course fees: Single person CHF 150.00 / Couples CHF 200.00. Course and childcare are otherwise free offerings subsidized by Stiftung Mariposa. For foster families in the SoFam network.
• Traumapädagogik for School Course Trauma pedagogy course offered to schools at a course fee of CHF 120.00, hosted at PH Graubünden. For school professionals.

Quantifiable outcome

• Family accompaniment programs (SPF) running 6–18 months, with regular evaluation cycles built into the program design.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core, regional and minor.

• IntegrascoreOthers · 1 January 2011Professional membership organization for child and youth welfare in Switzerland. The organization is a member of Integras, aligning with professional standards for social work practice in Switzerland.
• Stiftung Gott hilft (God Helps Foundation)coreOthersParent foundation. The Sozialpädagogische Fachstelle is part of the 'pädagogische Angebote' (pedagogical offerings) of Stiftung Gott hilft, which also operates Schulheim Zizers, Schulheim Scharans, HFS Zizers, Hotel Paladina, Kita Zizers, Jugendstation Alltag, Serata Zizers, and God Helps Uganda.
• PACH (Pflege- und Adoptivkinder Schweiz)regionalOthersOver-regional network partner for foster and adoptive children Switzerland. Collaboration on foster family placement best practices and policy.
• SFP (Schweizerische Fachstelle Pflegefamilie)regionalOthersSwiss professional foster family center. Over-regional partner for foster family services and expertise.
• IG DAF Ost (Interessengemeinschaft DAF Ost)regionalOthersInterest group for family placement services (DAF) in Eastern Switzerland. Over-regional partner.
• Fachverband DAF PflegekindregionalOthersProfessional association for family placement of foster children.
• BussolaregionalOthersRegional partner accompanying foster children and foster parents in Graubünden.
• KIDcareregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional partner actively recruiting foster families on an ongoing basis. Serves as a referral channel for potential foster families in the region.
• Kinder- und Jugendhilfe St. GallenregionalOthersRegional partner for foster family accompaniment in St. Gallen.
• Pflegekinder St. GallenregionalOthersRegional partner for foster family recruitment and placement in St. Gallen.
• TipitiregionalOthersRegional partner described as a place where children and youth live and learn. Collaboration in the Graubünden foster care network.
• UmsprungregionalOthersRegional partner for family placement for young people in Graubünden.
• Fachstelle WegwarteregionalOthersRegional partner offering counseling and coaching for foster families in Graubünden.
• Fachverband TraumapädagogikcoreOthersProfessional membership in the German-language trauma pedagogy professional association (DeGPT). The organization's staff are trained and certified in traumapädagogik (trauma pedagogy).
• SPF Fachverband SchweizcoreOthersOfficial membership in the Swiss Professional Association for Social Pedagogical Family Accompaniment (SPF).
• SSA Ost (Schulsozialarbeiterverband Ostschweiz)regionalOthersRegional school social work professional association (East Switzerland). The module responsible for school social work is a member.
• KKJ (BSH) – Bündner Spital- und HeimverbandregionalOthersGraubünden hospital and home association. Collaboration within the Graubünden professional network.
• Artiset YOUVITAregionalOthersBranch association of service providers for children and youth in Graubünden/Switzerland.
• OSAB (Ombudstelle Graubünden)regionalOthersOmbudsman office for children and youth in Graubünden. The organization adheres to Quality4Children standards as implementation of UN Children's Rights Conventions.
• #StandUp Initiative against Mobbing (RADIX)minorOthersThe organization supports the #StandUp anti-bullying initiative launched by RADIX Swiss Health Foundation, implementing it in schools they serve. Supported by the Canton of Graubünden's health office.
• Fachstelle Pflegekinder und Adoption des Kantons GraubündencoreOthersCantonal oversight authority for the organization's family placement organization (FPO) authorization. Responsible for supervising all foster care activities under the cantonal mandate.
• Avenir Social (Berufskodex)coreOthersThe organization adheres to the professional code of Avenir Social for professional social work in Switzerland.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Caritas Schweiz: Switzerland's largest social-services NGO. Comparable as a multi-service provider offering family support, social counseling, and foster-care-adjacent services across multiple cantons — relevant for benchmarking scale, funding mix, and service breadth.
• SOS-Kinderdorf Schweiz: National operator of residential family-like care and family-support services. Comparable for foster-care / out-of-home placement methodology, family accompaniment programs, and public-sector contracting model.
• Pro Juventute: Major Swiss foundation providing child, youth and family services including the Elternberatung national hotline and SOS placements. Comparable on target population (children/families), referral-driven GTM, and cantonal service-delivery model.
• pro familia schweiz: Swiss family-planning and sexual-education NGO offering counseling, family support and psychosocial services. Comparable for family-counseling modality, regional delivery model and public-sector/grant funding mix.
• Heilsarmee Schweiz: Large Swiss social-services NGO with social-pedagogical and family programs and residential operations. Comparable for foundation-style governance, multi-canton delivery, and family-support / case-management services.
• Mütter- und Väterberatung Schweiz: National network of free parenting and family counseling services for parents of young children. Comparable on parent-counseling/Sozialpädagogische Beratung use cases and publicly funded service delivery.

Others

• PACH Pflege- und Adoptivkinder Schweiz: Swiss specialist body for foster and adoptive children — direct network partner of SoFa. Comparable as a national reference point for PAVO-compliant foster-family methodology, supervision standards, and family-placement policy.

Direct peers

• Schweizerische Fachstelle Pflegefamilie (SFP): National specialist center for foster families and a named SoFa network partner. Highly comparable as a provider of foster-family recruitment, training and professional supervision under PAVO.

Regional players

• Bussola: Graubünden-based NGO accompanying foster children and foster parents — named SoFa regional partner. Comparable on geography, target population, and supervised foster-family service model.
• KIDcare: Regional Eastern-Swiss recruiter of foster families and active SoFa referral partner. Directly comparable for foster-family acquisition methodology, geographic overlap, and placement pipeline competition.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/sozialpaedagogische_fachstelle

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sozialpädagogische Fachstelle