Foster Family Placement in Delft

Foster Family Placement in Delft

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

What does foster family placement in Delft entail?

In Delft, a child is removed from the family and placed with a foster family for crisis (short-term), short-term (months) or long-term (years). The goal: to provide a safe, stable home situation, with a focus on return or appropriate solution. Delft has various foster families, affiliated with certified institutions. Placement always requires a legal procedure via the Child Protection Board or the juvenile court judge at the The Hague District Court (district).

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 care by non-related persons 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 in Delft.
• Civil Code Book 1 art. 1:261 et seq.: Rights of foster parents and parents in long-term care.

In crisis situations, the emergency measure (Youth Act art. 4.1) applies for up to 2 weeks, extendable by the juvenile court judge.

Procedure for foster family placement in Delft

Steps in Delft:

1. Report: Via Safe at Home Delft, school or GP to the municipality.
2. OTS application: Certified institution submits request to The Hague District Court.
3. Hearing: Parents, child (≥12 years) and experts heard.
4. Court order: Out-of-home placement in case of risk, preferably foster family.
5. Matching: Matching to local foster family based on profile.
6. Supervision: Foster care worker in Delft supports family and parents.

Periodic evaluation, with return as priority.

Rights and duties in Delft

Parents:

• Information about child and placement.
• Contact arrangement, if safe.
• Legal assistance via Delft Legal Desk and appeal (within 3 months).

Duties of parents:

• Participation in help and plan.
• Contribution to costs.

Foster parents:

• Allowance (€20-€30/day).
• Duty of care and reporting.

Child: Voice from 12 years, with child representative.

Examples of foster care in Delft

Example 1: 10-year-old child from Delft due to violence; crisis placement, then long-term with therapy for parents, return after 18 months.

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

Example 3: Baby with addicted parents directly in respite placement in Delft with contact.

Comparison of foster family placement

In Delft, foster families are prioritized for the best fitting care. Contact Municipality of Delft Youth Care or Delft Legal Desk for advice.