‘Parenting Support Netherlands’
A caring safety net for struggling families
When support provided through the youth care and child protection services ends, most families are on their own. However, there are several organisations that can provide a safety net through informal support. It is high time to combine these two options, says Asisa Spaans-Boujahma, director of Steunouder Nederland (‘Parenting Support Netherlands’). ‘This will not only help the families, it will also help the overstretched youth care and child protection services. This is in partnership with Samen Oplopen and the Oudertelefoon.‘
According to the latest CBS figures, there are around 394,000 families receiving youth care. An unprecedented high figure. Pressure on professional care is huge while the families’ situation is extremely vulnerable. Spaans had previously worked in youth care for eight years herself. While there, she saw what happens when professionals are overloaded. But she also saw just how crucial community support could be for a family.
Breathing space
Er zijn verschillende organisaties die dergelijke informele steun bieden. Vrijwilligers van Samen Oplopen bijvoorbeeld helpen kwetsbare gezinnen die gebukt gaan onder stress rond allerlei leefgebieden. Steunouder Nederland koppelt een steunouder (een vrijwilliger) aan het gezin, zodat de ouders wat meer lucht hebben wanneer hun kind bij de steunouder is. En de Oudertelefoon biedt telefonische hulp aan gezinnen die met vragen worstelen. Spaans: ‘We zien hoe effectvol dat is. Ouders krijgen meer vertrouwen, de stress neemt af en hun veerkracht groeit.’
Nonetheless, formal and informal care do not automatically converge. For that reason, all three initiators launched the Strong Links pilot. The idea is that social care providers connect parents with an informal network while they are still in the care process. One hundred families are involved initially. They may have become homeless or could be dealing with child protection services. Spaans: ‘We stay nearby and ensure they feel heard and seen. Without judgement. Another thing that helps: We do not create a file. A file like that can deter parents from seeking help.’
Development space
Dioraphte provides the space to explore new ideas that do not instantly fit into any one box. But which are necessary to progress forward with issues affecting society. They are often initiatives that would otherwise barely be given a chance. We do this in a way that doesn’t raise too many obstacles. That’s exactly when the unexpected can arise.
Heavy workload
But does the youth care sector appreciate this informal care? Spaans: ‘Fortunately, we are moving with the times. The value placed on informal care is increasingly recognised. Furthermore, it also helps to reduce the use of the care system. For instance, it can prevent the parents from re-entering into an official process.’
Ook de hulpverleners zelf hebben baat bij de informele steun, weet Spaans. ‘Hun werkdruk is hoog. Vaak zijn de hulpverleners intens betrokken bij de gezinnen in crisis. Als de uren op zijn, houdt ook de hulp vaak op. Dat voelt niet altijd fijn. Nu kunnen de hulpverleners tijdig informele steun inschakelen.’
Not too rigid
The reason Spaans approached Dioraphte for funding was because of the space she was looking for. ‘When it comes to innovations in the field of healthcare, you often have to meet all kinds of scientific criteria. And that is justified. For this initiative, however, we just need to get started with what works. Meanwhile, we can learn from what emerges, but without pinning everything down in advance’. A detailed plan will be made from these experiences. This will indicate what has worked well and not so well. With this plan, the initiators will support other care organisations on their way. ‘After all, we all share the same goal: to support and empower vulnerable families.’