pleeg

Pleeg is a Dutch root used to describe foster care arrangements. It appears in several common compounds, including pleegzorg (foster care), pleegouder (foster parent), pleeggezin (foster family), and pleegkind (foster child). The term denotes a formal caregiving relationship in which a child cannot live with their birth family for a period of time and resides with an approved family under supervision and support.

In the context of pleegzorg, children can be placed with foster families for varying durations, from temporary placements to longer-term arrangements. The goal is to provide a safe, stable, and supportive environment that meets the child’s developmental and educational needs while efforts toward reunification with the birth family or other permanent solutions are explored. Foster care may also be part of broader child-protection and welfare strategies.

The process to become a pleegouder involves a careful assessment, training, and ongoing supervision by child-welfare professionals. Foster families typically receive financial allowances to cover additional costs and receive guidance and support from social workers. Placements are coordinated by local authorities or specialized pleegzorg organizations, with regular reviews of the child’s welfare and the suitability of the arrangement. The overarching aim is to protect the child’s rights, promote well-being, and support healthy development within a family setting.

In usage, pleeg terminology is primarily found within Dutch-language discussions of child welfare and social services. The term functions as a linguistic building block that characterizes a family-based option for substitute care, distinct from adoption or guardianship.