News item | 4/18/2023 | 12:30
The Association of Netherlands Municipalities (VNG) and State Secretary Maarten van Ooijen (VWS) – on behalf of the cabinet – have reached an agreement in principle on the financial framework for the Youth Reform Agenda. Reforms in youth care are urgently needed to provide appropriate care to young people and families who need it as quickly as possible. At the same time, the entire youth care system must become financially sustainable. This involves a combination of measures and means. It has been agreed that savings will be mitigated by a total of €385 million in 2024 and 2025. This enables municipalities to improve youth care in complex social circumstances. This is an important step towards a substantive agreement. It is now up to the government and municipalities to establish and implement the total Youth Reform Agenda as quickly as possible, together with providers, professionals and client organisations.
Major reform of youth care
State Secretary Van Ooijen: “Our joint task is to greatly improve youth care, with the largest reform since the decentralization of youth care in 2015. Reforms are needed to help vulnerable children and families faster and better. It is encouraging that we now finally have an agreement on the main lines of the financial agreements. It is now up to the national government and municipalities to jointly reach agreement with professionals, client organizations and providers on the content of the youth care reforms.”
Good quality youth care
With the Reform Agenda, youth care will be greatly improved in the coming years. Accessibility and availability of care will be improved for the most vulnerable children and families. Paperwork and administration are drastically reduced. It is very important for children and parents that they can turn to strong local teams close to home, which also offer help themselves where necessary. Growing up at home as much as possible is the starting point, even if children need help. We want to prevent and reduce custodial placements as much as possible. We will also continuously work on improving quality, effectiveness and continuous learning.
Commission of experts
Part of the agreements is that a committee of experts will be set up to advise on how things are going during the implementation of the reforms, whether the agreed actions are being implemented and how expenditure is developing. This committee can advise on how to deal with an expenditure development that deviates from the financial framework that has now been agreed.