Different sizes, similar challenges: Out of home care for youth in Germany and the Netherlands

• Published in: Intervención psicosocial 2013-12, Vol.22 (3), p.203-213
• Main Authors: Hardera, Annemiek T., Zeller, Maren, López, Mónica, Köngeter, Stefan, Knorth, Erik J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acogimiento; Acogimiento residencial de jóvenes; Alemania; Child welfare; Children; Community-based programs; Day treatment; Foster care; Germany; Holanda; Home health care; Medidas de separación familiar; Out-of-home care; Professionalization; Protection; Psychology; Psychology, Social; Regulation; Residential care; Residential institutions; Residential youth care; The Netherlands; Trends; Youth
• ISSN: 1132-0559; 2173-4712; 2173-4712
• DOI: 10.5093/in2013a24

While there is a large difference in the number of young inhabitants in the Netherlands and Germany, their child protection frameworks are quite similar. In both countries, child protection services are mainly focused on youth aged 0 to 18 and regulations are aimed at clients’ responsibility and their active involvement during care. Youth care services consist of community-based services, day treatment and out-of-home care services, which include foster care and residential care. The history of out-of-home care services in both countries is characterized by similar developments. Over the last four decades, similar trends in residential care, towards more small-scale forms of residential care, smaller residential group sizes, and increasing professionalization of staff have emerged. Over the last two decades, a comparable trend towards increasing professionalization can be seen in the context of foster care in both countries. In addition, the number of youths in out-of-home care increased in both countries over the last decade, specifically in foster care. Over the last decade, more studies have been conducted in residential care than in foster care in both countries. Despite similar trends and developments in out-of-home care practice, research mainly shows differences in applied topics and methods between Germany and the Netherlands. A pesar de la gran diferencia en el número de habitantes jóvenes entre Holanda y Alemania, sus estructuras de protección de la infancia son muy semejantes. Los servicios de protección de la infancia en ambos países se centran fundamentalmente en los jóvenes entre 0 y 18 años y la reglamentación va dirigida a la responsabilidad de los clientes y su compromiso activo durante el acogimiento. Los servicios de protección a los jóvenes constan de servicios comunitarios, el tratamiento de día y los servicios de proteccion con separación familiar, que abarcan el acogimiento familiar y residencial. La historia de los servicios que implican separación familiar en ambos países se caracteriza por desarrollos semejantes. En los últimos cuatro decenios han surgido tendencias semejantes en el acogimiento residencial más encaminadas a modos de acogimiento a pequeña escala, menor tamaño de los grupos residenciales y una mayor profesionalización del personal. En los dos últimos decenios puede apreciarse una tendencia comparable hacia una mayor profesionalización en el contexto del acogimiento en ambos países. En el último decenio se han llevad