Dutch inspectorate cannot supervise youth care abroad, minister says
Minister Mirjam Sterk told parliament the youth care inspectorate (IGJ) has no powers over care abroad, after questions about Huize Soria, a facility in Spain where Dutch young people were placed.
The health and youth inspectorate, the IGJ, has no powers to supervise youth care abroad, minister Mirjam Sterk (Langdurige Zorg, Jeugd en Sport) said on 26 October. She was answering written questions from MP Westerveld (PRO) about Huize Soria in Spain. She also replied on behalf of the deputy minister for Justice and Security.
Sterk called the young people's stories about Huize Soria terrible. "What these young people went through cannot and must not happen. Practices like this must be ruled out," she wrote.
After reports about Huize Soria, the inspectorate told the youth care provider involved at the time to follow the framework for foreign care provision (afsprakenkader buitenlands zorgaanbod). It also asked the provider to learn from what happened.
The inspectorate does not file reports about care providers under a "foreign youth care" category. It therefore cannot give reliable figures on how many reports concern Dutch young people in youth care abroad, the minister said.
Sterk said she will talk with municipalities and other parties about how to organise guidance for these young people if they struggle to find the right care and support.
What happens next
- 2 November: SAVE Jeugdbescherming publishes its independent study into placements abroad.
- After the study: Sterk talks with municipalities, certified institutions (GI's) and Jeugdzorg Nederland about further questions and steps, such as more research.
More on cabinet and parliament · the world with a dutch angle · health care
Follow the story: IGJ
IGJ (Inspectie Gezondheidszorg en Jeugd)
The Health and Youth Care Inspectorate is the Dutch government body that supervises healthcare and youth care providers in the Netherlands. It checks that they meet legal quality and safety standards, investigates incidents and complaints, and can enforce corrections. Its powers apply to care delivered within Dutch jurisdiction, so it cannot inspect care provided in other countries.