Foster Family Placement in Tilburg
Foster family placement provides temporary or long-term care for children and young people in Tilburg who cannot safely grow up at home. The child is placed with certified foster parents, often as a result of an out-of-home placement. This protects the child's development and safety, while maintaining the bond with the parents.
What does foster family placement in Tilburg entail?
In foster family placement in Tilburg, a child is removed from their own family and placed temporarily or long-term with a foster family. Forms include crisis fostering (short-term in emergencies), short-term foster care (a few months) or long-term care (for years, sometimes until adulthood). The aim is a safe, stable environment, with efforts towards return to parents or an alternative.
In Tilburg and surrounding areas, many foster families are affiliated with certified institutions such as regional foster care providers. A placement always requires a legal procedure, via the Child Protection Board or the juvenile court judge at the District Court Zeeland-West-Brabant, Wilhelminapark 100 in Tilburg.
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 parent care as care by a non-related person in a family setting.
- Youth Act art. 2.1 and 2.2: Supervision order (OTS) and out-of-home placement.
- Youth Act art. 3.1 et seq.: Rules for foster care, matching and support.
- Civil Code Book 1 art. 1:261 et seq.: Rights of foster parents and parents in long-term care.
In crisis situations, an emergency measure applies (Youth Act art. 4.1) for up to 2 weeks, extendable by the juvenile court judge.
Procedure for foster family placement in Tilburg
Steps in Tilburg:
- Report and investigation: Via Safe at Home or school to the municipality of Tilburg. A youth care worker assesses the situation.
- OTS application: Certified institution (CI) submits request to the juvenile court judge.
- Hearing: Parents, child (from 12 years old) and others are heard.
- Judicial decision: In case of risk of serious harm, out-of-home placement follows, often in a foster family.
- Matching: Matching to a suitable foster family based on profile.
- Supervision: Foster care supervisor supports the family and parents.
Periodic evaluation focuses on return.
Rights and obligations
Parents have the right to:
- Information about the child and placement.
- Contact arrangement, unless harmful.
- Legal aid and appeal (within 3 months) at the District Court Zeeland-West-Brabant or Tilburg Legal Desk, Spoorlaan 364.
Obligations of parents: Cooperate with help and contribute to costs.
Foster parents: Reimbursement (€20-€30/day), duty to act as trusted persons and evaluations.
Child: Right to be heard from 12 years old, right to a representative.
Examples of foster care in Tilburg
Example 1: 10-year-old girl removed from home due to violence; crisis fostering, then long-term family. Return after therapy.
Example 2: Teenager with behavioral issues in specialized foster family, extended until 18 years.
Example 3: Infant with parental addiction directly in respite fostering with contact.
Comparison of foster family placement
| Type | Duration | Supervision | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foster family | Temporary/long-term | Intensive | Family home |
| Youth care institution | Short/long | 24/7 | Group home |
| Crisis care | Short (weeks) | High | Special unit |