Objections and Complaints Regarding Youth Services
The municipality is responsible for providing services to children and families who need assistance, either temporarily or for a longer period. To carry out this responsibility effectively, we, as a municipality, rely on so-called youth professionals. They visit families at home and work with care providers to discuss possible solutions to the identified problems. The municipality assumes that this process goes smoothly, but there may be cases where it does not. In that case, there are several options available to you.
Objection/Appeal
If the municipality makes a decision regarding the care you have requested and you disagree with it—for example, because you requested a different type of care or are receiving less care than you requested—you can file an appeal with the municipality. You can do this in writing or via Digid. You will then be given the opportunity to explain your objection in person to the independent appeals committee. Afterward, a decision will be made on your objection. If you still disagree with the decision, you can file a lawsuit in court and, if necessary, file a further appeal.
Complaints
You or your child can also file a complaint if you are dissatisfied with how your application was handled. For example, you may feel that the youth services professional did not assist you properly. In that case, you can file a complaint with the municipality. If you find this difficult, you can contact the municipality, and the complaint can then be drafted in writing through mutual consultation. After your complaint is received, you will be contacted to discuss it. If this discussion is not satisfactory to you, your complaint will be referred to the Youth Complaints Committee. Review the document “Internal Regulations of the Youth Complaints Committee.” This committee, which is independent of the municipality, consists of several members, including legal experts and behavioral specialists. They will review your complaint in accordance with privacy regulations. The committee will invite you to provide further oral clarification of your complaint. Following this, a recommendation or decision regarding your complaint will be issued.
The municipality considers the ruling of the Youth Complaints Committee to be important because it provides an independent yet expert assessment of the municipality’s actions. The municipality therefore takes the outcomes of the complaints procedure very seriously, and measures will be taken if necessary. This may involve, for example, adjusting procedures, bringing the actions of youth professionals to their attention, or consulting with youth care providers. The Youth Complaints Committee also serves other municipalities in West Brabant.
If you have any questions, please contact the secretariat of the Youth Complaints Committee by calling 14 0168 or by email at klacht@moerdijk.nl.