ROTTERDAM, 26 June 2025 – Rotterdam is taking bold steps to transform youth care, focusing on recovery, trust and education. A new approach offers renewed hope for vulnerable young people.
Rotterdam reshapes youth care with focus on recovery and connection
A recent publication from the Municipality of Rotterdam outlines a shift in how the city supports young people in complex care situations. The report, titled Complexe jeugdhulp loopt vast, calls for an end to outdated one-on-one (een-op-een) care practices and presents a future-oriented model that prioritises connection, learning and long-term stability.
From containment to connection: a new direction
Across the Rotterdam-Rijnmond region, the use of intensive one-on-one youth care has increased. Originally designed as a last resort, this form of guidance has too often led to isolation, passivity and high social costs. In response, the city is refocusing its youth care policies on human connection and the personal development of young people.
“We need to stop placing children under surveillance and start giving them the tools to grow,” said Alderman Ronald Buijt. “Care must help them move forward, not hold them back.”
A clear framework for better care choices
At the heart of this new approach is a practical decision-making framework, or afwegingskader, developed in collaboration with Professor Peer van der Helm of the University of Amsterdam. The framework is designed to help determine when one-on-one care is truly needed, how it should be structured, and when it can be responsibly phased out.
The aim is to reduce unnecessary and prolonged care trajectories while improving the quality and purpose of youth support. This includes a stronger emphasis on schooling, day programmes and local solutions.
Young voices at the centre of the system
The publication shares several personal stories that reveal the realities behind care statistics. One young woman, Olga, found healing through working with animals. “The horses calm me. They do not judge. For the first time, I feel safe,” she said.
These stories illustrate a central message of the report: children and young people must be heard. Their insights are now guiding the design of future youth services, moving away from control and towards empowerment.
Strengthening care close to home
The report also advocates for more small-scale care centres within the region. Local treatment ensures continuity of contact with family, friends and education, helping to prevent the disruption caused by distant placements. The city is also seeking stronger cooperation between care institutions, mental health providers and schools to improve transition planning and long-term outcomes.
The new approach puts special attention on the transition to adulthood, where many young people currently fall through the cracks when youth care ends at 18.
A coordinated effort towards lasting improvement
Rotterdam's evolving care strategy is supported by clear recommendations: improve professional coordination, invest in local capacity, secure access to education, and ensure every young person has a future plan. A dedicated care coordinator will oversee complex cases, ensuring decisions are made with insight, responsibility and care.
The city’s efforts reflect a growing belief that effective youth care begins with stability, understanding and trust.
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