Foster Family Placement Utrecht

Foster Family Placement in Utrecht

Foster family placement provides temporary or long-term care for children and young people in Utrecht who cannot safely grow up at home. The child is placed with certified foster parents, often after an out-of-home placement. This protects the child's development and safety, while maintaining the bond with parents. In Utrecht, the municipality coordinates this through local foster care providers.

What does foster family placement in Utrecht entail?

In Utrecht, a child is removed from their own family and placed temporarily or long-term with a foster family. Forms include crisis fostering (short-term in acute crisis), short-term fostering (months) or long-term fostering (years, sometimes until 18 years). The goal: to provide a safe, stable environment, with a focus on reunification or alternatives. Utrecht has hundreds of foster families, registered with certified institutions such as Pleegzorg Utrecht or William Schrikker.

A placement always requires a legal procedure via the Child Protection Board (RvdK) or family judge at the District Court Midden-Nederland, Vrouwe Justitiaplein 1 in Utrecht.

Legal basis for foster family placement

The Youth Act (2015) and Civil Code Book 1 form the basis. Relevant articles:

• Youth Act art. 1.1: Foster parent care by non-relatives in a family-like setting.
• Youth Act art. 2.1-2.2: OTS and out-of-home placement as precursors.
• Youth Act art. 3.1 et seq.: Rules for foster care, matching and support.
• Civil Code Book 1 art. 1:261 et seq.: Rights of foster parents/parents in long-term placement.

In crisis: emergency measure (Youth Act art. 4.1) up to 2 weeks, extendable by family judge.

Procedure for foster family placement Utrecht

Steps in Utrecht:

1. Report: Via Safe at Home Utrecht or school to the municipality.
2. OTS application: Certified Institution (GI) at District Court Midden-Nederland.
3. Hearing: Parents, child (≥12 years) heard.
4. Judicial decision: Out-of-home placement in case of danger, often foster family.
5. Matching: Matching via Utrecht foster care based on profile.
6. Supervision: Local supervisor supports family and parents.

Periodic evaluation, priority on reunification.

Rights and obligations in Utrecht

Parents:

• Information about child and placement.
• Contact arrangement, unless harmful.
• Legal aid via Juridisch Loket Utrecht, Catharijnesingel 55; appeal within 3 months.

Obligations of parents:

• Cooperate with help and plan.
• Contribution to costs.

Foster parents:

• Allowance (€20-€30/day).
• Obligation of confidentiality and evaluation.

Child: Voice from 12, with child representative.

Examples of foster families Utrecht

Example 1: 10-year-old child removed from home due to violence; crisis fostering, then long-term with Utrecht family. Reunification after therapy.

Example 2: Teenager with behavioral issues in specialized foster family Utrecht, extended until 18.

Example 3: Infant with addicted parents directly in respite fostering, weekly visits.

Differences foster family vs. other placements

In Utrecht: contact Jeugdzorgloket for advice.