Social support and organisation in Swedish Family Centres and Dutch Youth and Family Centres

Abstract

The aim of the present study is to gain insight into how parents benefit from social support in Dutch Youth and Family Centres and Swedish Family Centres. A comparison has led to some recommendations for the Dutch Youth and Family Centres. Professionals and parents in both countries were interviewed. Results showed that the Dutch parents, in contrast to the Swedish parents, did not engage in social contacts in the centre and only benefitted from social support from professionals. Further, Dutch professionals had a different task than Swedish professionals, which contributed to a different approach. The combination of an open preschool, a well-being approach, and professionals with the task to promote the well-being of families seemed to be the most important precondition for a successful centre. These findings led to the recommendation to change the atmosphere in the Dutch Youth and Family Centres from a ‘problem-oriented’ to a ‘supportive-oriented’ atmosphere. Only then the open preschool could be introduced in the centres.