Guideline 'Out-of-home placement and return' submitted for authorisation

November 28, 2022 - The 'Out-of-home placement' guideline has been revised and sent for authorization to professional associations BPSW, NIP and NVO. After all professional associations have authorized the guideline, we will publish the new guideline on this website. This is expected to be mid-January 2023.

Click here if you would like to receive a notification as soon as the revised guideline is online.

Important changes in the revised guideline

• The revised guideline places a greater emphasis on relocation compared to the current guideline. That is why the name of the guideline has been changed to: Out-of-home placement and return guideline.
• The guideline has a clear focus on 'growing up as at home as possible', including in the case of (temporary) out-of-home placement. This is preferably placed in a (network) foster family or a family home. And where parents remain involved in their child's life as much as possible.
• The guideline has a broader approach with regard to preventing out-of-home placement. And this has been expanded with more interventions to prevent out-of-home placement
• Instead of a proposed acceptable period within which decision-making on out-of-home placement or return should take place, the revised guideline offers a new assessment framework for decision-making on out-of-home placement and return.
• The revised guideline pays much more attention to joint decision-making with parent and child in all steps of decision-making. The basic principle is that decisions about out-of-home placement and return are made together with parents and child as much as possible.
• The directive has a major impact on the family and the uncertainty of the outcome of the decision is great.
• In addition, the guideline pays more attention to the use of the informal network and social support in supporting parents and child.

Review in collaboration with the field

During the revision, there was active collaboration with professionals, scientists, parents and young people. For example, young people and parents who have experience with out-of-home placement have actively contributed ideas. The guideline has also been commented on by Youth Care Netherlands, the Child Protection Council, Defense for Children International and the Benefits Affair Support Team.

Publication after formal ratification

The revised guideline is published after authorization by professional associations BPSW, NIP and NVO. Authorization is the formal ratification of the directive. After publication, the new guideline will apply as the professional professional standard. Would you like to be notified as soon as the new guideline is online?