Concerns about Dutch youth care placements abroad
In the media image: Mehmet Arigül on Unsplash
There is insufficient oversight of Dutch children who are placed in residential youth care facilities abroad. Mariëlle Bruning, Professor of Children and the Law, voiced her concerns on Nieuwsuur.
Dutch authorities have insufficient oversight of children who are placed in residential youth care facilities abroad by Dutch child protection agencies. Although the risks associated with these so-called cross-border placements have been known for more than 15 years, such organisations continue to operate. This is the conclusion of an investigation by Nieuwsuur. Dutch children are even being sent to countries outside the European Union, including Morocco. The Health and Youth Care Inspectorate (IGJ) has received reports that children are forced to work without pay, are denied access to education, and are locked up. In some cases, children are flown back to the Netherlands every three months for a few days in order to get round visa requirements.
‘I’m shocked that children are being sent to countries such as Morocco and then have to return to the Netherlands every three months,’ says Mariëlle Bruning. ‘That raises serious concerns about misconduct and abuse of the youth care system.’ According to the professor, remote monitoring, which is often conducted through video calls, is largely ineffective: ‘How can you speak properly with a child placed there when other people may be present and perhaps even prompting them on what to say?’
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Read the full article on the Nieuwsuur site (in Dutch)
Watch the item on Nieuwsuur (in Dutch)