Central level
The Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport, is responsible for:
Youth Policy
- Setting policy guidelines;
- Developing the legal framework.
The Youth Care Inspectorate (IJZ) (in the Ministry) is responsible for
- Supervising the quality of youth services and youth protection;
- Making proposals to improve the quality of services in the youth and juvenile justice institutions.
The Ministry of Justice and Security is responsible for juvenile justice policy.
The Ministry of Education, Culture and Science is responsible for all educational matters.
The Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment executes labour-related measures.
Sport Policy
- Setting policy guidelines;
- Developing the legal framework;
- Promoting sport for health;
- Managing elite sport and international tournaments.
Responsible ministries/bodies
Regional level
Regional authorities are responsible for:
Youth Policy
- Implementing the Youth policy programmes, level of responsibility (provinces or municipalities) varies according to programme;
- Managing the phone line for children.
- Youth probation (scheduled to be transferred to the municipalities by 2015);
- Youth Care (i.e. care for the mentally handicapped youth, closed youth care, preventive youth care and mental care for young people) (scheduled to be transferred to the municipalities by 2015).
Sport Policy
- Providing for subsidies;
- Coordinating sports policy (limited role).
Responsible ministries/bodies
Provinces
Local level
Local authorities are responsible for:
Youth Policy
- Implementing the Youth Act (Jeugdwet) 2015 which extends the responsibilities for youth care to include secure youth care, previous provincial youth care responsibilities, youth mental health care (also for the purposes of juvenile criminal law), care for mentally impaired young persons, guidance and care, youth protection, and youth probation and aftercare services;
- Implementing the Participation Act, to enable the integration of young disabled people into the workforce by providing benefits, sheltered employment;
- Defining, implementing and funding youth policy programmes;
- Managing a centre for youth and families, providing advice on parenting and child development;
- Providing for youth welfare services;
- Collaborating with other sectors such as healthcare, education, police and judiciary.
Sport Policy
- Establishing and facilitating local sport policy;
- Creating and maintaining adequate sports and physical activity opportunities for residents of all ages;
- Use educational settings to promote sports and exercise, with a view to leveraging mutual benefits;
Providing for subsidies.
Responsible ministries/bodies
Municipalities
Sources
Bestuursakkoord 2011-2015, blz. 32-37
Centrum voor jeugd en gezin
Country sheet on youth policy: Netherlands
Rijksoverheid: Culture and Sport website
Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport,
Child and Youth Act (Jeugdwet, 2015): states that within their youth policy local municipalities are responsible for decreasing the number of children in specialized care, increasing preventive and early intervention support, and promoting the use of social networks.
Social Support Act (Wmo, 2015): holds municipalities responsible for setting up social support with the aim of all citizens participating in all facets of society.
Participation Act (Participatiewet, 2015)
Netherlands Youth Institute
Ministry of Justice and Security
Ministry of Education, Culture and Science
