As of 1 November 2015 prof. Mariëlle Bruning, dr. Stephanie Rap en Denise Verkroost have started a study on the participation of children in youth care and child protection. In article 12 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child the right to be heard is laid down. This right is part of the right to participate in decisions that affect children directly or indirectly. In this study the central question to be answered is whether children are able to participate in decisions and at which moments these decisions are taken in the youth care trajectory. By means of this study an inventory will be made of the relevant moments at which decisions are taken that affect children in youth care. Both the decision-making process around voluntary youth care as well as court ordered child protection measures will be part of this study. The second part of this study considers the practical implementation of the right to be heard in youth care. Semi-structured interviews will be held with professionals from organisations carrying out youth care and protection measures. The aim of this study is to identify points for improving the effective implementation of the right to be heard. The second part of this study is financed by the Dutch foundation Pro Juventute and will be completed in summer 2017.  

• article 12 crc
• child protection
• participation
• youth care