Stichting Klokkenluiders Verstandelijk Gehandicaptenzorg

Description

Stichting Klokkenluiders Verstandelijk Gehandicaptenzorg (VG) is a Dutch foundation for people with intellectual disabilities living in care institutions and their families. It was founded on 26 June 2009 by Egbert Schroten, Ko Orlebeke and Hanneke Cowall. It grew out of informal contacts among families whose relative with an intellectual disability had been placed in a care institution.

It operates as a partnership of legal representatives, family members and other people involved in care for people with intellectual disabilities. Central to its work is a “meldpunt”, a reporting point through which families and representatives can raise concerns about the care their relatives receive. This was run first by Joke Schroten alone, and later together with board member Nannie Kruissel, until 2019.

Board members, several of whom are parents of children with an intellectual disability, describe their motivation as improving the legal position of vulnerable people in care. They also want to help other families avoid the difficult conflicts with care institutions that they themselves experienced, including cases involving restrictive measures and behavioural problems.

The board includes a chair who worked as a health lawyer, a treasurer, a secretary and additional members.