In Zeeland, a large youth protection organization is disappearing that supports 700 families with a total of 1100 children with serious problems. All thirteen Zeeland municipalities have terminated the contract with Intervence on 1 January.
About sixty Intervence employees guide children and young people in Zeeland who have to deal with youth protection and juvenile rehabilitation. This guidance must be taken over by other organizations from 1 January.
The municipalities have not yet provided an explanation for canceling the contract with Intervence.
To care
Youth care in the Netherlands is very concerned. According to the trade association, the municipalities give the financial interests more weight than the interests of vulnerable children and families. “You may be opting for the cheapest solution for the municipalities in the short term; the bill will have to be paid later,” writes Jeugdzorg Nederland.
Youth care wonders whether other care providers will be available for the hundreds of Intervence clients from 1 January. And if there are any, the question is whether they have enough time.
Jeugdzorg Nederland warns: “We have already seen a number of important youth care organizations in the Netherlands disappear in recent years. The situation has always been different, but the consequences are the same everywhere: young people and families fall through the cracks with all the consequences that entails, because interests are considered more important than continuity and quality of care. Ultimately, it never leads to cheaper youth care, but it does lead to tensions, deteriorated home situations and more poignant stories. “
Staking
The Intervence believes that Minister Dekker and State Secretary Blokhuis should act because of the serious consequences. Trade union FNV has announced a strike at Intervence for next Tuesday, reports Omroep Zeeland.
The Works Council of Intervence warns that employees will look for another job and may say goodbye to the entire youth care sector. “This will lead to an enormous loss of knowledge, expertise and quality. The consequences are incalculable. Families will float and become out of the picture.”
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