Universiteit Leiden

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Research project

Whose best interests?

How are children’s rights and welfare protected in the Dutch 'gezinslocaties' (family reception centres)?

Duration
2024 - 2026
Contact
Elias Tissandier-Nasom
Funding
LDE GMD Seed Fund LDE GMD Seed Fund
Partners
  • Erasmus University

Introduction

This research projects focuses on the situation of children and their families living in family reception centres in the Netherlands (gezinslocaties). These centres house families who do not have a residence permit in the Netherlands and who have received an order to leave the country. However, for various reasons, they cannot yet be returned to their country of origin. Families stay in these centres until they either return voluntarily or the Dutch government can enforce their return.

In the absence of a residence permit, parents are unable to work or integrate into Dutch society. Children, however, are entitled to the right to education and are therefore enrolled in school, learn Dutch and integrate into society.

This research project aims to investigate the tension that exists between this right of the child to welfare and the restrictions of migration law which materialise at the gezinslocaties. To do so, the research team conducts qualitative interviews with all actors involved, including the policy-making and government bodies, support organisations and the residents themselves.

For this research project, the team has published multiple outputs based on the results of the qualitative field work.

This research project received the Societal Impact Open and Responsible Science Award from Erasmus University in 2025.

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