The Social Domain

The Social Domain

Pediatric palliative care within municipalities

In every Dutch municipality, there are families with a child who is not recovering. They try to keep their lives going, often with the help of family, friends, and dedicated professionals.

Municipalities play a key role in this. They can ensure that families receive the support they need, for example, through the Youth Act, the Social Support Act (Wmo), and the Participation Act.

Will you make a difference for families with a seriously ill child?

The Social Domain
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What is pediatric palliative care?

Pediatric palliative care is the comprehensive care provided to children and young people with life-threatening or life-shortening conditions. It focuses not only on treatment and pain relief, but also on everything that makes life bearable and meaningful. Care begins with diagnosis and continues beyond a potential death, including support for loss and grief. The goal is simple: to make life as good as possible—for the child and their family.
 
Pediatric palliative care has four dimensions:

Dimension
What it's all about
Medical (and nursing)
Treatment, symptom management, pain relief and use of aids.
Always tailored to what suits the child and the family.
Mental
Support for feelings of fear, sadness, anger, or uncertainty. Support in managing emotions and maintaining resilience.
Social
Support for organizing care, school, work, and daily life. Attention to relationships, resilience, and the support network surrounding the family.
Meaning
Dealing with existential questions, finding meaning and purpose — what gives life value, even if it is short?


De rol
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The role of the social domain

Children who are seriously ill, along with their families, need more than just medical (physical) care. They want to continue participating in normal life whenever possible: going to school, playing sports, staying in touch with friends, and spending time together as a family.

It is precisely there that the municipality plays an indispensable role.

Within the social domain, municipalities offer support in the areas of healthcare, welfare, youth care, and participation. This includes the Youth Act , the Social Support Act (Wmo) , and the Participation Act . The municipality is often the first point of contact for parents. A listening ear and collaboration on customized solutions can make a big difference in these situations.


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Support through various laws

Municipalities can support families through various laws within the social domain:

  • Youth Act : guidance for a child and the family at home, attention and support for siblings, and assistance at school to enable learning.
  • Wmo : aids, home adjustments and household help.
  • Respite care : temporary relief for parents so that they can continue to care.
  • Aftercare : support with loss and grief, including living loss, for both the child and the family.
  • Personal care : in some cases this is possible through the Youth Act, if a child is not (yet) entitled to care through the Wlz.

By using these resources correctly (and sometimes flexibly), municipalities can really provide relief for families.


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How municipalities can make a difference

By making conscious policy choices, municipalities can really make a difference.

Some handles:

  1. Invest in the expertise of policy officers and neighbourhood teams regarding families with a seriously ill child.
  2. Appoint a permanent contact person so that families do not have to repeat their story over and over again.
  3. Enable fast and flexible assistance , for example with emergency procedures or temporary facilities.
  4. Include respite care and psychosocial support in structural policy.
  5. Collaborate with the regional Integrated Childcare Networks to ensure that expertise is available close to families.

Sometimes one phone call, one contact person, or one exception in policy is enough to give a family some breathing room.

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In depth: collaboration and continuity

Cross-domain indexing

Families with a seriously ill child often have to deal with multiple agencies: the municipality, health insurer, CIZ (Center for Healthcare and Care), and the care office. Cross-domain assessment ensures that these organizations converge in a single, integrated process.

Within each regional assessment team, professionals work together to develop appropriate assessments across domains for the child and family. This means less paperwork, less repetition, and more time for what really matters.

The transition from 18 to 18+: continuity in care and support

The transition from youth care to adult care is often a major step for young people with a life-threatening condition. At eighteen, funding, the care team, and sometimes even the location of treatment and support often change.

Municipalities can do a lot here:

  • Make room for customization.
  • Ensure smooth handovers between the Youth Act and Social Support Act (Wmo), and between childcare and adult care. Start this early.
  • Collaborate with health insurers, care offices, and schools to ensure smooth support.
  • Continue to pay attention to psychosocial support and respite care, even after the 18th birthday.

A good transition means peace, security and continuity for young people and their families.


Ervaringsverhaal
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Read Catharina's story about Wim, care and getting lost in the system

Why investing in pediatric palliative care pays off

Investing in children's palliative care within the social domain is not only human, but also sensible:

  • More confidence in the municipality
  • Fewer crisis situations and more serious care needs
  • Lower social costs
  • Families continue to function better
  • Children can be children

A well-organised social domain offers families peace and confidence, and strengthens the resilience of society.

Expand your knowledge

Watch the webinars and podcast for more depth and inspiration:

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Moving forward together

Pediatric palliative care is a shared responsibility of medical professionals and municipalities. The social domain is key to providing families with the support they need. By sharing knowledge, collaborating, and offering tailored solutions, municipalities can make a difference—in policy and in the daily lives of families.

More information or questions?
Read the position paper 'The role of municipalities in pediatric palliative care' (2025),
or contact the Knowledge Centre for Pediatric Palliative Care or the Integrated Child Care Network in your region.

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