YOUTH AND FAMILY CENTRES IN THE NETHERLANDS CLOSING THE GAP? Caroline Vink – The Netherlands Youth Institute

2 Overview: Providing the best for children and families; reasons behind the Youth and Family Centres in the Netherlands

The Netherlands 16.7 mln inhabitants 1 mln immigrants births a year same size as Estonia first-time mothers - 29 year 3

4 Youth Policy in the Netherlands 0 – 18 (25) years 1 in 5 has an ethnic minority background Decentralised responsibilities Youth-at-risk model (distinction between preventive, general services and youth care) Transition of care to local level (after 2011)

Children and Young People in the Netherlands facts and figures : (22%) Doing well: 85% ( ) Problematic youth: 15% ( ) (very) serious problems: 5% ( ) No cooperation parents: 3% ( ) 5

The introduction of youth and family centres Several evalutions of the Dutch care system Too much focus at risk Lack of support for parents Fragmented support system Ministry for Youth and Families 2007 – – 2011 Youth and Family centres in all 405 Dutch municipalities 6

Increase of children and young people in specialised care 7 Child andYouth care Average growth rate: ± 7.4% a year Special education Average growth rate: ± 17.5% a year Mental health care Average growth rate: ± 12.5% a year

8 Priorities Youth and Family Centres (local level) Basic Model A. Child and youth healthcare –Child health clinics and municipal health services B. Five Functions stipulated in the Social Support Act on parenting support –Information and guidance –Identification of problems –Guidance to help –Minor pedagogical help –Coordination of care –Including social work, family coaching and parenting support C. Link to Youth Care Agency (entrance care system) D. Link to School Care and Advice Teams

Youth and Family Centres 15 May October %

10 Youth and Family Centres No blueprint – many forms Co-operation model Not organised around parents and children Baby well clinic + Central role

Youth and Family Centres Possible model Information and Advice Information and Advice Youth and Family Centres Preventive and Pedagogical help Preventive and Pedagogical help Co-ordination Of Care Co-ordination Of Care Location Marketing Visiting Hours Visiting Hours Internet Information At schools Information At schools Telephone Brochures Prevention - universal SignpostingInterventions

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Challenges: 15 care that cares Reconciling positive image and low threshold: (Needs of parents)

Challenges 16 no child left behind and at-risk focus: Risk control and child protection (responsibility authorities)

Challenges Integrated Working: Bringing together different disciplines Professionals with different attitudes towards parents and care Communication Who is responsible? 17

Challenges Listening to and involving parents: What do parents want: Support Meeting Information Attitudes towards parents 18

What Youth and Family Centres can bring Low threshold and support Continuum of care Early intervention Integrated working around the family and child Co-ordination of care One family, one plan 19

Will we close the gap? Support and protection Different professionals Attitudes towards parents Knowing what works? 20

Thank you! Questions? More information: 21

22 „Tento projekt sa realizuje vďaka podpore z Európskeho sociálneho fondu v rámci Operačného programu Zamestnanosť a sociálna inklúzia.“