Youth Protection North Placed Under Supervision After Serious Failures
Inspectors find young people left without support or stable contact. They cite structural failings, long wait times, and inadequate care for children under court protection.
Youth Protection North (Jeugdbescherming Noord, JBN) has been placed under enhanced supervision by the Health and Youth Care Inspectorate (IGJ) and the Justice and Security Inspectorate (JenV) following severe shortcomings in its services for vulnerable children and families in Groningen and Drenthe. The organisation has seven months—until January 2026—to implement substantial improvements.
Long Waits and Inconsistent Support
The inspectors found that children and young people in unsafe situations are not receiving timely protection, guidance, or help. By law, JBN must hold an initial meeting with families within five days of registration, but this deadline is missed in 40% of cases. An action plan, required within six weeks, is delayed in 70% of cases. Poor record-keeping further hampers effective care, leaving young people without a clear plan or stable point of contact.
Staff shortages and high turnover mean many young people are left without a permanent youth care worker, forcing them to repeat their stories to multiple professionals. Interviews with affected families revealed growing frustration and distrust. Young people reported feeling “unseen” due to infrequent contact and a lack of clarity on goals. “I don't think my current youth care worker knows me well… I’ve told the same story so many times that I don’t feel the need to anymore,” said one young client.
Overwhelmed Workforce
The report highlights the intense pressure on youth protection staff. With caseloads reportedly at 140%, workers struggle to build meaningful relationships with children and families. They face long waits to find suitable placements, as many care facilities are full or apply restrictive criteria, leaving even complex cases without proper support.
Despite their dedication, youth workers expressed feelings of powerlessness. “Parents want immediate help, but youth care workers cannot meet that expectation. This stirs up emotions among parents and leads to complaints,” the inspectors noted.
Systemic Failures and Oversight
The inspectors stress that JBN’s problems are part of broader structural issues in the Dutch youth care system, such as nationwide staff shortages and insufficient availability of specialised care—especially mental health services. These systemic flaws, combined with JBN’s internal challenges, have created a serious risk to the safety and development of children under its care.
Due to these concerns, the supervisory board of JBN has resigned, and inspectors will conduct both scheduled and unannounced visits during the enhanced supervision period. Progress will be closely monitored through regular reporting.
Next Steps
JBN must address governance shortcomings, ensure qualified staffing, improve record-keeping, and guarantee timely action for each case. If insufficient progress is made by mid-January 2026, additional administrative measures may follow.