Changes to Dutch Youth Care Law: Scope of the Youth Act

February 26, 2026 – The Dutch government is proposing amendments to the Youth Act, impacting who is eligible for youth care services and how those services are accessed. Public feedback on the proposed changes is open until April 13, 2026. This article details the key changes and why providing input is crucial.

Addressing Rising Costs and Prioritizing Vulnerable Youth

The number of young people utilizing youth care in the Netherlands has increased significantly in recent years, leading to financial challenges for municipalities responsible for funding these services. The government aims to reduce the overall number of young people in youth care, focusing resources on those with the most serious needs. The rationale is that many young people are receiving youth care that is deemed “light” and may not be effectively addressing their issues, suggesting problems should be resolved within the family, school, or community whenever possible.

The ‘Scope of Law’ and Financial Sustainability

The proposed changes, often referred to as the ‘scope of law,’ will redefine the extent of the youth care obligation for municipalities. This is part of a broader “Youth Reform Agenda” designed to ensure appropriate care for vulnerable young people while maintaining the financial sustainability of the youth care system. The government intends to implement significant cuts to youth care spending, and the Scope Act is intended to facilitate this reduction by limiting access to services.

Ten Key Changes to the Youth Act

1. Plan for Parenting and Growing Up: Municipalities are required to develop plans to support the healthy development of children and young people, including accessible youth workers and community spaces like libraries and sports clubs. Collaboration with schools, childcare providers, and youth healthcare services is essential.
2. Local Teams: All municipalities will be required to establish local teams to serve as a central point of contact for youth care. These teams will provide information, advice, and referrals for youth care services, both online and in the community. Municipalities will determine whether these teams provide light or heavy youth care.
3. School-Youth Care Connection: Schools will collaborate with local teams to better identify and address student needs. Municipalities must create plans to facilitate this collaboration.
4. Referral to (Heavy) Youth Care: The law differentiates between light and heavy youth care, with municipalities defining what constitutes each category. A referral is required for heavier, more intensive youth care, typically obtained through a local team assessment considering the severity of the problem, the young person’s existing support system, and their own capabilities.
5. Prioritization of Light Youth Care and Group Help: Light youth care is prioritized, but not necessarily a prerequisite for accessing more intensive services. Professionals can directly recommend more intensive care if deemed appropriate. Similarly, group help is favored over individual help unless individual support is considered more suitable.
6. Connecting to the Right Resources: Local teams will direct young people and families to appropriate organizations for issues outside the scope of youth care, such as poverty, housing, or debt.
7. Regular Reassessment of Youth Care Needs: Municipalities will regularly reassess whether young people currently in youth care still require those services, with the frequency determined on a case-by-case basis.
8. Types of Care Under Review: The government plans to identify and potentially eliminate forms of care and assistance deemed ineffective or inappropriate as youth care.
9. General Practitioner Referrals: General practitioners (GPs) will demand to establish agreements with municipalities regarding youth care referrals. Eventually, GPs may only be able to refer to local teams, which will then provide referrals for more intensive care.
10. Duration of Youth Care Programs: Municipalities will negotiate agreements with healthcare providers regarding the length of youth care programs to ensure efficient use of resources.

MIND’s Response and Opportunities for Public Input

MIND, a Dutch mental health organization, is preparing a formal response to the proposed bill, emphasizing the importance of addressing underlying issues in areas like education, housing, and debt assistance. They also advocate for increased focus on preventative measures, such as strengthening community support systems and accessible walk-in facilities.

The initial draft of the law is available for public comment via internet consultation until April 13, 2026. Individuals can respond by answering four questions or submitting a document, while ensuring no personal data is shared.

Questions for Public Response:

• What suggestions do you have about the law?
• Local teams: Do you think there is already a strong enough local team in your municipality? What things still proceed wrong? And what do you think a local team needs?
• Legal certainty within municipal policy space: What do you think of the differences that can arise between municipalities when offering youth care?
• Group-oriented youth care and appropriate, timely deployment: What do you think of group help in youth care?