Foster Family Placement Rotterdam

Foster Family Placement in Rotterdam

Foster family placement provides temporary or long-term care for children and young people in Rotterdam 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 parents.

What does foster family placement in Rotterdam entail?

In Rotterdam, a child is removed from their own family and placed temporarily or long-term with a foster family. This can be crisis fostering (short-term, in emergencies), short-term fostering (months) or long-term fostering (years, until adulthood). The goal: to provide a safe, stable environment, with a focus on return to parents or an appropriate solution.

Rotterdam has many foster families, registered with certified institutions such as local foster care providers. Placement always requires a legal procedure via the Child Protection Board or family judge at Rotterdam District Court, Wilhelminaplein 100-125.

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-relatives in a family-like setting.
• Youth Act art. 2.1-2.2: OTS and out-of-home placement, leading to foster 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: emergency measure (Youth Act art. 4.1) for up to 2 weeks, extendable by the family judge. Longer placement requires a court order.

Procedure for foster family placement in Rotterdam

Steps in Rotterdam:

1. Report and investigation: Via Safe at Home Rotterdam or school to the municipality. Youth care worker assesses.
2. OTS application: Certified institution files request with Rotterdam District Court.
3. Hearing: Parents, child (from 12 years) and involved parties heard.
4. Court decision: In case of risk of serious harm, out-of-home placement in foster family follows.
5. Matching: Child matched to suitable foster family based on profile.
6. Supervision: Foster care supervisor supports family and parents.

Periodic evaluation, priority on return.

Rights and obligations

Parents rights:

• Information about child and placement.
• Contact arrangement, unless harmful.
• Legal aid via Legal Counter Rotterdam, Westblaak 180, and appeal (within 3 months).

Parents' obligations:

• Cooperate with help and plan.
• Contribute to costs (child benefit, own contribution).

Foster parents:

• Allowance (€20-€30/day).
• Obligation to confidential role and evaluations.

Child: Voice from 12 years, child representative.

Examples Rotterdam

Example 1: 10-year-old girl removed from home after violence; crisis fostering, then long-term. After parents' therapy: return after 18 months.

Example 2: Teenager with drug problem in specialised foster family; annual extension until 18 years.

Example 3: Infant with addicted parents directly in respite fostering with weekly visits.

Comparison foster family vs. other placements

In Rotterdam, the municipality coordinates via certified institutions. Contact Safe at Home or Legal Counter for advice.