The results of that research were presented on Tuesday, 26 January 2021, the day on which Princess Laurentien launched the campaign ‘Open Your Heart for Forgotten Children’. The campaign focuses on the Week of the Forgotten Child, which runs from Friday, 29 January through Thursday, 4 February.
Education
Children spend a great deal of time at school. It is therefore very important to them that they feel welcome and seen there. This is especially true for children who experience little social support in their daily lives. The research shows that many of these children (77%) have had to change schools, on average three times, partly because half of them are bullied, and that a large proportion have felt misunderstood. Children believe that teachers should invest more in the group dynamic and atmosphere in the classroom so that greater connection develops between the children. This makes it easier for them to make friends.
According to Het Vergeten Kind, teachers can fulfil an important supportive role. They should have sufficient knowledge and skills to better understand what all children need and to pay particular attention to pupils with a vulnerable home situation. Het Vergeten Kind therefore calls on municipalities to ensure good partnerships between schools, the local social support team and youth care services, and for municipalities to establish a shared ambition and approach with youth care providers and education. Het Vergeten Kind advocates including in this approach the goal that children should always be able to remain at their own school, even if they need additional support to do so.
For more information
- Read the full research here.
- View the factsheet here.
- View the recommendations for municipalities here.
- View the short film here, in which young people talk about the impact of social isolation.
- View the long film here, in which young people discuss the issue in greater detail.