Inspectorate rates youth care in Caribbean Netherlands as mediocre

KRALENDIJK – The quality of outpatient youth care and child protection in Caribbean Netherlands is mediocre. The Health and Youth Care Inspectorate is particularly concerned about the lack of oversight regarding the safety of children still waiting for assistance.

This emerges from an inspection report recently shared with the House of Representatives. Of the 23 components examined, thirteen received a satisfactory rating. Seven components were rated as mediocre and three as insufficient.

During the supervision period, 43 cases were on the so-called intake list. Of these, eighteen families still needed to be assessed, while 25 families were awaiting care. The oldest referral dated back to March 2025. According to the inspectorate, the list also includes children with serious safety concerns.

In several cases, it took four to six months before a permanent youth care professional was assigned. The inspectorate also found that Youth Care did not always have sufficient information to assess whether children were safe or whether agreed arrangements were being followed.

Concerns about staffing

On Bonaire, eleven youth care professionals are employed, nine of whom have been in post for less than eighteen months. Several staff members stated that they felt ‘thrown in at the deep end’ when they started. The inspectorate is also critical of the use of self-employed workers. Two of the three freelancers interviewed had no relevant qualification in youth care and received no supervision from Youth Care.

The inspectorate does speak positively about, among other things, the legal position of clients, the handling of incidents and internal management.

Youth Care must now draw up an improvement plan. The inspectorate will continue to monitor progress and will carry out a new inspection at a later date.

Read the full inspection report on youth care in Bonaire here