Youth aid

Help for children, young people and their parents or carers

Are you worried about your child's well-being, behaviour or development? Then it is good to know that various forms of youth aid are available in the municipalities of Amstelveen, Aalsmeer, Uithoorn and Ouder-Amstel. This help is for children and young people up to the age of 18 and for their parents or carers. There are two main ways to get help:

• Through the GP and the Practice Support Physician Youth (POH Jeugd): this is low-threshold and free support for psychological or parenting questions. This help is available in many GP practices.
• Through the municipality: For more specialised or long-term help, you can contact the social service desk of your municipality. Together, you will look at which help best suits your situation.

Which route is best depends on the nature and severity of the help request. Sometimes both routes can also be used simultaneously, with the GP and municipality working together to arrange the best support for you and your child. You can read more about both forms of youth support below.

POH Youth

The POH Jeugd is a professional within the general practice who offers support to children and young people aged 0 to 18 years, and also to their parents or carers. You can contact the POH Jeugd for help with psychological and socio-emotional problems, or questions about parenting and development. For example:

• Your young child sleeps badly or still wets the bed;
• Your school-aged child has fear of failure or difficulty keeping up in class;
• Your adolescent struggles with anxiety, gloom or troublesome behaviour;
• You are looking for help dealing with divorce and what it means for your child.

The POH Jeugd works closely with the GP and falls under his responsibility. The consultations are free of charge, as this help is covered by the basic health insurance and you do not pay any excess.

What does an appointment with a POH Youth look like?

The interviews take place at the GP practice. During the first interview, the POH Youth takes the time to discuss with you and your child exactly what is going on. By asking targeted questions, the POH Youth gets a good picture of the situation and what support is needed.

Sometimes a short-term counselling programme by the POH Jeugd is enough. For young people from 12 years old, there is also the online programme Minddistrict, which allows them to get additional support via eHealth.

Is more or other help needed, e.g. from a youth doctor, school social work or youth assistance? Then the POH Jeugd, together with the family doctor, will ensure an appropriate referral.

Request a meeting with the POH Jeugd

Would you like a meeting with the POH Youth? Then contact the GP practice. When making the appointment, indicate that you would like support from the POH Jeugd. The assistant will first schedule a meeting with the GP to discuss the situation. If appropriate, the GP then refers you to the POH Jeugd.

Note: Not every GP practice employs a POH Youth. Check with your own practice about the possibilities.

Youth aid through the municipality

If the request for help is more complex or requires specialist support, you can apply for youth assistance through your municipality. The municipalities of Amstelveen, Aalsmeer and Uithoorn offer various forms of youth assistance, such as:

• Advice on parenting problems
• In-home counselling to families for various problems
• Help with psychological and behavioural problems
• Foster care
• Living or staying in a youth facility.
• Help for young people with disabilities (participation, self-reliance)

Applying for youth aid

You can apply for youth support via the social office of your municipality. A GP, youth doctor or specialist can also give a referral. Sometimes it is possible to contact a youth aid provider directly, if it has a contract with the municipality.

• Aalsmeer: Information about youth aid in Aalsmeer can be found on the website of the municipality of Aalsmeer: Youth and education | Municipality of Aalsmeer.
• Amstelveen: For more information and to apply for youth assistance, please visit the website of the municipality of Amstelveen: Requesting youth assistance - Municipality of Amstelveen.
• Uithoorn: For information on mental health and youth services in Uithoorn, visit the website Uithoorn Helpt: Mental health care | Uithoorn Helps!.
• Ouder-Amstel: For information and to apply for youth aid in Ouder-Amstel, please visit the website of the municipality of Ouder-Amstel: Youth aid in the municipality of Ouder-Amstel.