This research will focus on the available possibilities for vulnerable young adults to receive (compulsory) aftercare. In the context of this research,  the term ‘vulnerable young adults’ only refers to young adults who have dealt with a child protection measure before they reached adulthood.

Young people at risk

During the legislative consultations of the House of Representatives (Tweede Kamer), State Secretary for Health, Welfare and Sport (Staatssecretaris van Volksgezondheid, Welzijn en Sport) was asked whether he was aware of the  the issues with regard to vulnerable young adults with a limited mental capacity. Since child protection measures can no longer apply to these young adults when the reach the age of 18, they will fall between the gaps of the system the moment they reach adulthood. This will happen, even though they are unable to function on a fully independent basis in society. Due to this, it is not completely inconceivable for this specific group of young adults to end up in undesirable situations (such as criminality, addiction and/or prostitution).  Therefore, we also refer to this specific group of young adults as ‘young people at risk’. In that regard, the State Secretary promised to examine the existing legal possibilities applying to this group.

• 18 plus
• aftercare
• child protection
• compulsory care
• vulnerable young adults
• young people at risk