Residential child and youth care in the Netherlands: Developments and challenges

Abstract

This paper presents an overview of the three categories of residential care in the Netherlands, including information (number, gender, age, ethnic background) on the young people served within each category. Developments and innovations in Dutch residential care are examined from two angles: developments in treatment content and organizational developments. Two types of treatment programmes are discussed: basic programmes, serving the entire group; and supplementary programs, serving targeted groups. Organizational innovations are illustrated through the use of a process flowchart showing the progress of a young person referred to the Youth Care Bureau. Finally, the paper explores the problems still facing Dutch residential care: waiting lists, premature termination of young people from programmes, the position of group workers, and the suboptimal involvement of parents as partners.