News item | 30-06-2025 | 14:00
The cabinet recognizes the extra suffering that children have experienced through both the allowance affair and subsequent out -of -home placements. In a letter to the House of Representatives, State Secretary Struycken (Legal Protection), State Secretary Palmen (repair and allowances) and State Secretary Tielen (Youth, Prevention and Sport) respond to the report ‘Inheritance of injustice’ of the Surcharges and UITHuisplaatingen Committee. The government announces concrete measures to support young people.
State Secretary Struycken: “These young people were first touched by unjustified recovery from the Tax Authorities and then by home placement when the causes of family problems were insufficiently recognized. The system of youth assistance and youth protection was unable to prevent out -of -home placements.”
Ask for painful conclusions to act decisively
The report shows that in many cases recovery by the Tax Authorities led to debts, poverty and stress, causing family problems or increased. Due to shortcomings in district teams, youth assistance and youth protection, the financial causes were insufficiently recognized, so that out -of -home placements followed that could possibly have been prevented.
State Secretary Palmen: “These young people still carry the negative impact every day. We see and hear you and acknowledge that a lot of suffering has been caused by the government. That is why we want to help young people with what they need the most.”
Tribute: recognizing, supporting, learning
The cabinet acknowledges that these children are extra affected by government mistakes. The Cabinet wants to work out the precise design and interpretation of this explicit recognition, including apologies, with the partners and organizations involved and with young people in a careful process. The existing child scheme is also being expanded and improved.
There will be a national support point for all parents and young people looking for mental help. In addition, there will be a new scheme for young people who have been placed out of the house and want help with training and development. The independent support team that helps victims and children who have had to deal with an out -of -home placement is continued.
The cabinet wants to learn from the mistakes made, including through an integral family approach, reinforcement of legal protection in youth protection and a cultural change in which trust in families is central.
Young people central to elaboration
It is important to regain the confidence of the affected families. That is why young people themselves are closely involved in working out the measures. They get an active role, also in implementation, for example in contact with fellow sufferers or when providing information to youth aid organizations.
Joint responsibility
The government wants to prevent families from experiencing the same suffering again and takes lessons from the Hamer committee report. The report emphasizes that complex problems in families must be tackled related and that the youth sector must work more family -oriented.
State Secretary Tielen: “It has been agreed in the Youth Reform Agenda that strong local teams look better at what young people and families really need. Their situation and world are central. This is an important starting point for the cabinet.”
This movement is in line with improving youth protection through the future scenario for child and family protection. The cabinet wants fewer out -of -home placements and better, coherent help.
Cooperation with chain partners
Organizations such as the Child Protection Board, certified institutions and the Judiciary have completed their own reflection processes and used improvement measures.
State Secretary Struycken: “We pick this up together. It is our joint responsibility to ensure that this suffering does not arise again and that affected children get the support they deserve for their recovery and future.”
The cabinet informs the Chamber before the end of 2025 about the progress of all measures.