Research questions

Since the introduction of the New Youth Law on January 2015, municipalities in the Netherlands are responsible for youth care. This includes the care for children who cannot live with their biological parents because their home situation is not safe or adequate for their development.

According to the New Youth Law municipalities are responsible for the quality of the placement of children: a place that fits in with the special needs and development of a child. The aim is to get civil servants involved in the everyday environment of foster youth, through their stories and perspectives, in order to give a (new) meaning to the implementation of their responsibility.

The research question was: "What is the perspective of adolescents living at foster or family homes regarding their well-being and need for care and support?"

The following 8 themes were addressed by the research question:

1. Placement
2. Support
3. Clarity about the future
4. Co-operation
5. Continuity
6. Safety
7. School
8. Leaving care