"These young people were first affected by unjust recoveries from the Tax Authority and then by removal from their homes when the causes of family problems were insufficiently recognized," said Secretary of State for Legal Protection Teun Struycken. "The system of youth care and protection was unable to prevent removals for them."
Painful Conclusions Call for Decisive Action
The report shows that recoveries by the Tax Authority often led to debts, poverty, and stress, which created or exacerbated family problems. Due to shortcomings in neighborhood teams, youth care, and protection, the financial causes were insufficiently recognized, leading to removals that could have possibly been prevented.
"These young people carry the negative impact with them every day," emphasizes Secretary of State for Recovery and Benefits Sandra Palmen. "We see and hear you and acknowledge that a lot of suffering has been caused by the government. Therefore, we want to help the young people with what they need most.”
Threefold Approach: Acknowledge, Support, Learn
The cabinet acknowledges that these children have been particularly affected by government errors. The precise form and implementation of this explicit acknowledgment, including apologies, will be worked out by the cabinet with the involved partners and organizations, as well as with the young people themselves in a careful process. The existing child benefit scheme will also be expanded and improved.
A national support center will be established for all parents and young people seeking mental health assistance. Additionally, a new scheme will be introduced for young people who have been removed from their homes and need help with education and development. The independent Support Team that assists affected parents and children who have experienced removals will continue.
The cabinet wants to learn from the mistakes made, including through an integrated family approach, strengthening legal protection in youth protection, and a cultural shift where trust in families is central.
Young People at the Center of Implementation
It is important to regain the trust of affected families. Therefore, young people will be closely involved in the implementation of the measures. They will take an active role, also in execution, for example, in contact with peers or in providing information to youth care organizations.
Shared Responsibility
The cabinet wants to prevent families from experiencing the same suffering again and takes lessons from the report of the Hamer Committee. The report emphasizes that complex problems in families must be addressed in a coherent manner and that the youth sector must work in a more family-oriented way.
“In the Youth Reform Agenda, it has been agreed that strong local teams will better look at what young people and families really need. Their situation and living environment are central to this. This is an important starting point for the cabinet,” says Secretary of State for Youth, Prevention, and Sport, Judith Tielen.
This movement aligns with improving youth protection through the Future Scenario for Child and Family Protection. The cabinet wants fewer removals and better, coherent assistance.
Collaboration with Chain Partners
Organizations such as the Child Protection Board, Certified Institutions, and the Judiciary have undergone their own reflection processes and implemented concrete improvement measures.
“We are tackling this together,” concludes Struycken. “It is our shared responsibility to ensure that this suffering does not arise again and that affected children receive the support they deserve for their recovery and future.”
The cabinet will inform the House of Representatives by the end of 2025 about the progress of all measures.