In the future, young people in the closed youth welfare service will likely be able to receive not only close relatives, foster parents or guardians, but also friends. The House of Representatives approved amendments by D66, GroenLinks and PvdA to a bill amending Secretary of State Van Ooijen’s (VWS) Youth Act. The Senate still needs to approve it.
Under the draft law, if a complaint is found to be justified, young people will no longer have to go to court to seek compensation. They are also entitled to pocket money and living expenses.
The law proposed by the secretary of state improves the position of young people in the closed youth welfare system. This includes young people with serious educational problems. The isolation conditions for such a young person are being tightened. Children under the age of 12 should not be isolated under any circumstances.
Some groups believe that youth isolation will continue as long as there is a shortage of staff. Van Ooijen said understaffed should never be a reason to isolate a teenager.
Problems only grow
Criticism of closed youth welfare has increased in recent years. It is aimed at children and young people who have problems that are serious enough to pose a danger to themselves or those around them, but who have problems that will increase their mental health problems, especially by placing young people in solitary confinement.
That’s why last year it was decided to phase out closed youth care. By 2030, young people should no longer be admitted to closed facilities. Alternatively, small living groups with more personal care should be created.
Closed youth care was established in 2008. Prior to this, young people who needed a safe environment were housed in youth detention centres.
Source: NOS
Emma Fitzgerald is an accomplished political journalist and author at The Nation View. With a background in political science and international relations, she has a deep understanding of the political landscape and the forces that shape it.
