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Youth support in Apeldoorn

  • 21 May 2026

Based on the Apeldoorn Youth Support Regulation 2026 Since 2 March 2026, Apeldoorn has had new rules governing youth support. These rules help to ensure that youth support remains available to children and families who really need it.

A simple explanation

Please note: this is a simplified explanation. No rights can be derived from it. For the full rules, please visit: https://lokaleregelgeving.overheid.nl/CVDR758353/1.

In Apeldoorn, we want all children to be able to grow up safe and healthy. As a parent, you want the best for your children. You provide food, safety, structure and attention, even when things aren’t going well. You are, and always will be, responsible for them.

Growing up isn’t always easy. Family, friends or neighbours can often help. If you’re still struggling, there are organisations (including voluntary ones) you can turn to, including some in your local area. You can find them at: Voluntary projects: https://niza055.nl/ or the Buurtwijzer Apeldoorn https://www.samen055.nl/samen055-nieuws/buurtwijzer-de-nieuwe-digitale-kaart-voor-overzicht-in-ondersteuning-in-eigen-buurt.html.

Are the concerns still there, or are they serious? If so, more specialist support is needed. Support for children, young people and parents facing challenges with growing up or parenting that they cannot resolve on their own. The aim is to help things get better again. We try to ensure that this support is provided for as short a period as possible.

Two types of youth support

There are two types of youth support. There is support and assistance that you can access yourself without needing a referral. We call this freely accessible youth support. In addition, there is specialist support and care, for which you can obtain a referral via the neighbourhood team. This support is therefore not freely accessible. The Youth Act refers to these as individual provisions.

1. Free-to-access support

You can go there yourself. You don’t need a referral. Help is easily accessible and often available quickly. Take a look at the websites listed.

Examples:

  • information and advice
  • volunteers or mentors
  • light parenting support
  • temporary support at home (up to 1 year)
  • youth practice support worker at the GP’s surgery
  • social work

2. Non-publicly accessible support (individual services)

This is more intensive or specialist care. You will need a referral or a decision from:

  • the local authority
  • the GP
  • the school doctor
  • a medical specialist

Examples:

  • intensive home care
  • foster care
  • living in a group home or treatment centre
  • Mental health services for young people (therapy, treatment)
  • child protection or youth probation

This regulation sets out the rules governing this non-publicly funded youth support.

Who is youth support that is not freely accessible intended for?

Non-free youth support is available for:

  • children and young people up to the age of 18 (sometimes up to 23)
  • families experiencing difficulties with, for example:
    • growing up (such as anxiety, anger or sadness)
    • upbringing (such as frequent arguments or parental insecurity)
    • safety (if a child does not feel safe at home)

Youth support services that are not freely accessible are only used when necessary and appropriate to the situation.

Who is responsible for organising free youth support services?

The municipality of Apeldoorn does not provide freely accessible youth support services. In your neighbourhood, there is a neighbourhood team you can contact if your child or family is struggling.

Examples of youth support services that are not freely accessible

  • Help with serious arguments or stress at home
  • Support with behavioural issues (e.g. anger, not listening)
  • Support for feelings such as anxiety, sadness or gloom
  • Sessions with a psychologist
  • Support for conditions such as autism or ADHD
  • Temporary care when things aren’t going well at home
  • Support for parents with child-rearing

How can you access youth support services that are not freely available?

There are three ways:

  • Through the local council
  • Through your GP, school doctor or medical specialist
  • Through the courts or a certified body

1. Through the local council

You can ask your question:

You will receive an email confirming your appointment.

Family Group Plan

You are welcome to draw up a plan with the people who are important to you. Please bring this with you to the meeting.

Urgent

In the event of a crisis, assistance will be provided as soon as possible. You will receive a decision within four weeks.

2. Through your GP, school doctor or medical specialist

Your GP can refer you. Sometimes, an educational support worker (practice support worker) will speak to you first. The local authority will only cover the costs of support provided by organisations with which it has a contract.

3. Through the courts

If a child is not safe or a young person gets into trouble, the juvenile court judge may impose a measure, such as:

  • supervised release
  • out-of-home care
  • youth probation service

The court determines what support is needed. The local authority ensures that this support is provided.

How does the local authority determine what support is needed?

The local authority is conducting an investigation. This will require one or more meetings with you.

The following are being considered:

  • what exactly the problem is
  • behaviour, emotions, upbringing, school and home life
  • what you and your network can do yourselves (your own resources)
  • whether there are other options (e.g. through health insurance or school)

Following the assessment, the local authority will decide whether youth support is required.

Report and decision

You will receive a report of the meeting. You are welcome to respond to it. Is there a need for non-publicly funded youth support?

You will then receive a decision stating:

  • what support you will receive
  • how much
  • how long

What does the local authority expect from parents?

Parents should provide the usual support: meals, washing, supervision and structure. What is considered normal depends on the child’s age.

Sometimes extra help is needed, for example:

  • changing a 12-year-old’s nappy every day
  • extra supervision due to serious behavioural problems

If you are able to provide this extra help yourself without becoming overburdened, the local authority expects you to do so.

 If that doesn’t work, the council will first look at other solutions:

  • help from the network
  • health insurance
  • volunteers
  • local amenities

Only if that is not enough will non-free-access youth support be provided.

How is non-free youth support funded?

There are two ways:

  1. Care in kind (ZIN)
  2. Personal Budget (PGB)

1. Care in kind (ZIN)

The council has contracts with various organisations. They take care of everything: administration, payments and appointments. You don’t need to do anything yourself.

2. Personal Budget (PGB)

With a personal care budget, you arrange your own care.

You must meet the following conditions:

  • you can make good choices yourself (or get help with this)
  • You can explain why ZIN isn’t suitable
  • The local authority considers the chosen support to be of good quality

You can deploy two types of support staff:

  1. Formal assistance
  2. Informal support

1. Formal assistance

  • organisations, self-employed individuals or registered healthcare providers
  • they receive a maximum of 85% of the municipal rate

2. Informal support

  • people in your network
  • they are paid the minimum wage or an allowance

Managing your personal care budget. Among other things, you must

  • write a plan
  • draft contracts
  • approve invoices and submit them to the SVB
  • check that the aid is working

You may not use your personal care budget to pay for, amongst other things:

  • agency fees
  • administrative costs
  • crisis support
  • transport
  • providing assistance abroad without authorisation
  • holiday allowance

Quality of non-universal youth support

Care workers must:

  • be knowledgeable
  • working safely
  • respect your privacy
  • keep records
  • Call Veilig Thuis if you have any concerns
  • cooperate with inspections

When does the support stop or change?

The local authority may stop your benefits if you:

  • provides incorrect information
  • no longer needs the help
  • fails to honour agreements
  • misuse of the personal care budget
  • no support will be provided within 3 months

In the event of misuse, the money may be reclaimed.

Complaints and public consultation

  • You can speak to a confidential advisor free of charge
  • You can lodge a complaint with the provider or the local authority
  • You can have your say via the Social Domain Advisory Council or the Youth Council
  • Regulators monitor quality

Transition to the age of 18

From the age of 16, the local authority assesses what support will still be needed after the individual turns 18. This is set out in a support plan, ensuring that support continues seamlessly.

When do these rules come into effect?

From 1 March 2026.