The responsible authority for sheltered workshops is the Federal Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, Mr. Hubertus Heil from the Social Democratic Party of Germany, who has been in office since March 2018. In the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, it is Directorate-General V – Participation / Matters concerning Persons with Disabilities / Social Compensation / Social Assistance, which is in charge of sheltered workshops. Head of the DG is Mrs. Anette Tabbara. Division V a 2 of this DG is in charge of the participation of severely disabled persons, Workshops for Persons with Disabilities and the rehabilitation fund. Head of the division is Dr. Peter Mozet.

The governing grand coalition agrees on the necessity of sheltered workshops to enable participation in working life for severely disabled people. Sheltered workshops are regarded as a place for vocational and educational training for this group of people with the perspective to realize the transition of people with disabilities onto the open labour market. The government accordingly stated, responding to an official request from an opposition party, that sheltered workshops are part of an inclusive labour market.