beschikkingstelling

Beschikkingstelling is a Dutch legal term for a court-ordered arrangement in which a minor’s care and upbringing are placed under the responsibility of another person or institution. It is used within child protection and family law to safeguard the welfare of a child when parental care is insufficient or poses a risk. The measure rests on a court decision (beschikking) that specifies who will take responsibility for the child and under which conditions.

Typically, a beschikkingstelling follows an investigation or recommendation by child-protection bodies such as the Raad voor de Kinderbescherming or regional youth-care agencies (Jeugdzorg). The order may designate a guardian or custodian, who can be a parent (often the other parent), a relative, a foster family, or a licensed institution. The arrangement can be temporary or long-term and may include requirements for supervision, support services, or rehabilitation efforts.

Procedure-wise, verzoeken for beschikkingstelling are part of the broader child-protection procedure and are decided after assessments and hearings. The child is usually represented in proceedings by a curator or guardian ad litem, and parental rights may be modified or supervised by the court during the placement. The order can be amended or terminated by subsequent court decisions, such as when the child’s situation improves, when another form of protection is more appropriate, or when the child returns to parental care.

Beschikkingstelling differs from other protective measures like ondertoezichtstelling (supervision) or placement in foster care or institutions, though these measures may be related or transitional within the same protective framework. It is part of the Dutch system aimed at safeguarding the welfare and development of minors.