Youth Act and the Role of the Municipality of Rijswijk
The Youth Act organizes youth care in the Netherlands and designates municipalities as the primary responsible parties. In Rijswijk, the Municipality of Rijswijk has provided support to children and young people up to 18 years old (sometimes up to 23) since 2015 for issues such as parenting challenges or mental health concerns. This article outlines the implementation in Rijswijk, including local tasks, residents' rights, and practical examples.
What Does the Youth Act Entail for Rijswijk?
The Youth Act, effective from 1 January 2015, integrates youth care, protection, and justice services, replacing older regulations such as the Youth Care Act. The goal is to provide accessible, community-based support, with the Municipality of Rijswijk as the central coordinator. Local teams deliver a full spectrum of services, from prevention to intensive guidance, including school support and leisure activities to promote optimal child development.
At the core is 'one family, one plan, one case manager': all parties collaborate under municipal leadership. For Rijswijk residents, this means simpler access to help through a single point of contact, without being passed between multiple agencies.
Legal Basis of the Youth Act
The Youth Act in Book 1 of the laws collection specifies the municipality's role. Key articles include:
- Article 2.1: Municipality of Rijswijk must arrange all youth care provisions for local youth.
- Article 2.2: Access to support via application to the municipality, resulting in a care arrangement – a customized plan.
- Article 2.8: Funding through national subsidies; Rijswijk handles procurement and delivery itself.
- Article 3.1: Youth protection in cases of risk, potentially leading to a supervision order via the Rijswijk District Court.
This framework requires proactive care, inspired by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. The Municipality of Rijswijk reports annually to the national government to enhance transparency.
Tasks of the Municipality of Rijswijk under the Youth Act
The Municipality of Rijswijk acts as financier, coordinator, and provider of youth care. Overview of core tasks:
- Prevention and early intervention: Investments in local courses and school programs to address problems early.
- Support requests: Assessment via the municipal youth desk, followed by a plan and assigned professional.
- Care procurement: Contracts with regional psychologists and foster care providers in Rijswijk and surrounding areas.
- Youth protection: In crises such as abuse, involvement of the Child Care and Protection Board and Rijswijk District Court.
- Youth probation: Guidance for young offenders to prevent reoffending.
Rijswijk implements the Act with local emphases, such as regional collaboration in Haaglanden, within national guidelines.
Rights and Obligations under the Youth Act in Rijswijk
Rijswijk parents and youth have specific rights and obligations.
Rights
- Appropriate, free support without excessive waiting times.
- Privacy protection (Article 7.1 Youth Act).
- Input into care arrangements and right to appeal; advice available at Rijswijk Legal Aid Desk.
- Judicial review by Rijswijk District Court for involuntary measures such as out-of-home placement.
Obligations
- Active participation in support, unless contrary to the child's best interests.
- Report safety concerns to the Municipality of Rijswijk or Safe at Home.
- Possible income-based contribution for non-medical care.
In cases of deficiencies: file a complaint with the municipality or Children's Ombudsman; free advice at Rijswijk Legal Aid Desk.
Practical Examples of the Youth Act in Rijswijk
A Rijswijk family notices anxiety in their 14-year-old due to school bullying. Through the WMO desk of the Municipality of Rijswijk, an intake leads to a care arrangement with a psychologist and school support – fully funded by the local budget.
In Rijswijk, a family doctor identifies parenting stress in a single parent. The municipality initiates a voluntary parenting program from the prevention fund. If the situation deteriorates, it escalates to protective measures via the Rijswijk District Court.
Veelgestelde vragen
Wat is mijn retourrecht?
Bij online aankopen heb je 14 dagen retourrecht zonder opgaaf van reden, tenzij de wettelijke uitzonderingen gelden.
Hoe lang geldt de wettelijke garantie?
Goederen moeten minimaal 2 jaar meewerken. Defecten die binnen 6 maanden ontstaan worden verondersteld al aanwezig te zijn.
Kan ik rente eisen over schulden?
Ja, je kunt wettelijke rente eisen (momenteel ongeveer 8% per jaar) over het openstaande bedrag.
Wat kan ik doen tegen oneerlijke handelspraktijken?
Je kunt klacht indienen bij de consumentenbond, de overheid of naar de rechter gaan.
Wat is een kredietovereenkomst?
Een kredietovereenkomst regelt hoe je geld leent, wat de rente is, en hoe je dit terugbetaalt.