Youth aid and turning 18
The youth care that residents of Zoetermeer receive from the municipality falls under the Youth Act. This law applies to young people from 0 to 18 years old. Only in a few cases can care be used under the Youth Act up to the age of 23. If help or support is still needed after the 18th birthday, this is arranged under the Social Support Act (Wmo), the Health Insurance Act (Zvw) or the Long-term Care Act (Wlz).
Youth care providers are responsible for guiding their clients through the transition around the age of 18. The municipality makes agreements about this with the youth care providers. The diagram below provides more information about the different forms of help or support, the laws that apply to them and who can apply for this help or support.
Curious about what else a young person needs to arrange for their eighteenth birthday? Check out the checklist .
Need help?
Ask your current supervisor or care provider to help. You can also - without an appointment - walk in at the Youth Information Point (JIP). Check the JIP website for the address and opening hours.
| Type help | Description | Arrange via (possibly via current care provider) | Legislation |
| Guidance at home | For example: - Home care - Day care - Short term stay - Domestic help - Home adjustments - Tools |
The municipality (Wmo or Youth and Family Assistance) | Wmo |
| Permanent 24-hour care or supervision | For example, for people with a serious mental, physical or sensory disability. | The CIZ ( www.ciz.nl ) | Wlz |
| Psychiatric treatment (GGZ) | For example: admission and treatment in a clinic and outpatient treatment | GP | Zvw |
| Protective living environment | Shelter and support for people with a mental illness | The municipality (Wmo or Youth and Family Assistance) | Wmo |
| Personal care or nursing | For example: help with getting up, dressing, showering, going to the toilet, wound care or help with injections. | General practitioner and/or health insurer | Zvw |
| Stay in a substitute family situation | It has been agreed nationally that long-term stays in a foster family can continue until the age of 21. | The municipality (Youth and Family Assistance) | Youth Act |