Save wrongly ignored warnings about Spanish foster home, report finds

The child protection agency Save wrongly dismissed, or gave too little weight to, signs that young people were unsafe at Huize Soria, a foster home in Spain run by a Dutch couple. That is the finding of an investigation commissioned by its umbrella body, Samen Veilig Midden-Nederland. Since 2022, Save has placed six young people at the home.

The report backs the young people's accounts. They were exposed to intimidation, physical violence, unlawful confinement and (sexual) misconduct. Researchers spoke of tunnel vision at Save. Following the findings, Save has decided to place no more children abroad.

Save sided with Huize Soria's lawyer rather than its own legal staff. Anja Jonkers, chair of the board of Samen Veilig Midden-Nederland, said: "We did not do enough to protect these young people and place them somewhere safe. I find that terrible. We should have done better, and as a board member I feel responsible."

Huize Soria denies the allegations of violence. It says all the bodies that placed young people with it knew its pedagogical approach.

At the end of September the Spanish inspectorate closed the home because it had no licence, and the seven minors staying there had to leave. Over the past twenty years Huize Soria treated at least 265 Dutch young people with behavioural problems.

A majority of the Tweede Kamer and organisations including Unicef, Defence for Children and Jeugdzorg Nederland want an investigation into the placements at Huize Soria. Youth Minister Mirjam Sterk (CDA) does not. She points to Save's report and to her planned legislation to limit placements abroad.