Judge: Relocate 13-year-old after unsafe vacation park placement
A 13-year-old boy was placed in a vacation home without proper supervision by Jeugdbescherming Noord, prompting a court order for immediate relocation and sharp criticism of the youth agency, NOS and RTV Noord report.
The child had been living in a secure youth facility and, following criminal behavior that led to a three-month institutional sentence, returned home under electronic monitoring. When his mother could no longer manage his behavior, the agency sought an emergency out-of-home placement.
Rather than a specialized treatment facility, the boy was sent to a vacation park. The court found that no qualified youth psychiatrists or experienced care staff were present. Instead, employees were from a company specializing in labor participation. The judge called the placement “a serious safety risk” and said it violated both the European Convention on Human Rights and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
The boy had previously received both voluntary and compulsory youth care, but the judge noted that these interventions failed to produce a proper diagnosis or effective treatment. “His behavior worsened after compulsory youth care,” the court said.
The court emphasized that the child’s best interests were not prioritized. It ordered Jeugdbescherming Noord to find a new, appropriate living arrangement by March 30.
According to Dutch law, municipalities must provide minors with recognized youth care providers that meet strict safety and supervision standards. The court concluded that these requirements were not met.
This case is part of a wider pattern of concerns at Jeugdbescherming Noord. The agency was placed under intensified supervision in July by the Dutch Health and Youth Care Inspectorate. In August, a reporting center set up by local politicians received around fifty complaints from parents, foster parents, and current or former employees regarding mismanagement and other issues.
