AT LEAST 4,791 CHILDREN OF 2,888 PARENTS PLACED OUT OF HOME

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"The accumulation of government interventions—first through unjustified recovery demands and subsequently through out-of-home placements—has caused additional suffering for young people. Conversations with these young people have made it clear that the consequences are still felt on a daily basis." This is stated in the parliamentary letter sent to the House of Representatives on September 25, 2026, by State Secretary for Justice and Security Claudia van Bruggen, State Secretary for Benefits Restoration Sandra Palmen, and State Secretary for Long-term Care, Youth and Sport Mirjam Sterk.

The figures are still incomplete

In 2021, the first CBS analysis of the figures for the period 2015 to 2020 was released:

1,115 children

In May 2022, a second CBS analysis followed for the period 2015 to 2021:

1,675 children

On February 7, 2025, Weerwind's parliamentary letter reported on the period up to 2025

3,532 children

Based on data linkage for the period up to the end of 2025, and using comprehensive assessments, it has been provisionally determined:

4,791 children

The period from 2005 to 2015 is not included in these figures. During this time, many out-of-home placements were carried out due to CAF investigations into childcare institutions. Voluntary out-of-home placements were also excluded from the study, as were children of parents who faced recovery demands for other benefits, or families where entrepreneurs fell into financial distress due to their 'fraud flag'.

A central register of all parents and children is still missing

Every day, I receive stories from parents who do not know where their children are, whether they are still alive, or if they are living abroad. Children have grown up in other families or in institutions, and by no means have all of them been reunited with their parents.

New applications can be submitted to the Support Team until December 31, 2026. So far, there have been 1,509 applications and 1,002 support trajectories. Please sign up quickly if you need help with recovery and reunification.

Reassessments

Parents and children want their files to be reviewed again independently. A start is being made with a defined number of files.

Support for recovery and future prospects

Young people need help with education and development. Among young people who were forcibly placed out of home, there is significant financial stress, unstable home situations have emerged, and they often received little or no education while in institutions.

Restoring trust is a step-by-step process

The development of improvement measures is being monitored. Progress is made transparent and adjusted where necessary. All with the ultimate goal of restoring trust, step by step.

On September 29, 2026, a petition regarding out-of-home placements will be presented to the House of Representatives.

The plan is to issue a formal apology in January 2027.

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Nora lived in foster care for nearly 12 years due to the childcare benefits scandal