Handle With Care: trial at secondary schools in Heerlen
After good results in primary education, Vrije School Parkstad and Grotiuscollege in Heerlen as well as Compass in Brunssum will participate in Handle with Care as a pilot starting from the new school year. Handle with Care is a method in which the municipality, Safe Home, compulsory education and schools work together to offer support to children who have experienced violence at home.
How does it work?
Handle with Care gives schools a signal if a child's home has had a domestic violence incident where the police came to the door. That way, care coordinators know quickly that a student could use extra support. That could be a good conversation, a little more attention in class, postponing a test, or just a hug. A safe place and a listening ear in the difficult moments. Because often the outside world knows nothing.
Results
The evaluation of elementary education shows that teachers feel children are being helped well. In 2026 we will see how well it works within secondary education. Then it will be decided whether other secondary schools will join in.
Alderman Education Jordy Clemens: ''Sometimes a little extra attention from a teacher means the world to a child who has been through something intense. Handle With Care is above all about being there for each other: that arm around the shoulder, a much-needed hug or perhaps just being left alone for a while. Together we make a strong case for growing up safely.''