When out-of-home placement and revocation overlap in Utrecht
In Utrecht, under the jurisdiction of the District Court Midden-Nederland (Article 1:253a DCC), and adoption revocation (Article 1:231 DCC) both serve child welfare, but differ fundamentally. Out-of-home placement is temporary and aimed at family restoration, often via local foster care agencies, while revocation permanently severs the adoption bond.
Judges in Utrecht opt for revocation only if out-of-home placement, supported by Veilig Thuis Utrecht, falls short and offers no prospect.
Key distinctions in the Utrecht context
1. Purpose and duration
Out-of-home placement in Utrecht provides crisis care or foster care with a perspective plan via Bureau Jeugdzorg Utrecht, aimed at return. Revocation leads to total dissolution of the adoption.
2. Procedure
For out-of-home placement, the child protection board in Utrecht is involved, with expedited hearings at the District Court Midden-Nederland; revocation starts with a private petition. Both prioritise the child's best interests according to local guidelines.
3. Consequences
After out-of-home placement, the family bond remains intact with aftercare via Utrecht neighbourhood teams; revocation restores the biological family status and activates possible aftercare trajectories.
In Utrecht practice, where Veilig Thuis functions as the regional reporting point, severe abuse situations often lead to sequential measures, with emphasis on prevention by local youth teams and collaboration with William Schrikker Jeugdbescherming Utrecht.