A new care pathway for children and young adults followed by child protection

The coordinated and strengthened « protected childhood » care pathway was established by an order of 21 april 2026.

This scheme is aimed at minors and young adults under the age of 21 who are in the care of the Child Welfare Service (ASE), regardless of their age placed outside their family environment or followed while staying with their family.

The aim is that these children and young adults can:

• benefit from a complete health check-up as soon as they are taken care of by the child protection;
• access to a care offer adapted to their personal situation.

In the specifications of the « protected childhood » care pathway, it is recalled that scientific studies have been carried out on the health of minors and young adults in the care of children on social assistance: their state of health is worse than that of other children. In particular, a significant number can be observed:

• underweight or overweight situations;
• pathologies, trauma and hospitalizations;
• situations of disability;
• the need for psychological care.

What are the different stages of the « protected childhood » care pathway?

It is at the initiative of the departments of the departmental council that children and young adults followed by ASE can be integrated into the coordinated and strengthened "protected childhood" pathway.

Child protection professionals then notify the holders of parental authority of the children. Throughout the journey, work is carried out with families to:

• inform them about the device and its relevance to the child's physical and mental health, as well as to his or her proper development and well-being;
• involve them in the care pathway, as far as possible and according to the age and situation of the child or adolescent.

The coordinated and reinforced pathway starts with the health and prevention assessment, which is mandatory when a minor enters the child protection system. This assessment makes it possible in particular to identify the care necessary to improve the physical and psychological state of health of the child.

Then, as part of the « protected childhood » pathway, a referring doctor is identified for each child and young adult; it can be a general practitioner, a pediatrician or another specialist, depending on the needs of each. This health professional is responsible for conducting an annual assessment with the child or young adult.

The referring physician may, depending on the needs of his patient:

• prescribe further treatment, intervention or testing;
• refer the minor or young adult to other health professionals for usual city care (care with a speech therapist, dermatologist, dentist, ophthalmologist, etc.);
• Advocate for early mental health care (sessions with a psychologist, occupational therapist or psychomotor therapist);
• refer to structures or specialists (coordination and guidance platforms, hospital services, etc.), in the event of a complex situation.

The « protected childhood » care pathway lasts 12 months and is then renewable every year for children and young adults who continue to meet the criteria for inclusion in the scheme.

One year before reaching the age of majority, each teenager integrated into the course takes part in an individual interview, organized by the president of his departmental council. This interview allows him:

• carry out a review of his or her career;
• to prepare for its continued follow-up in the field of care;
• to reflect on his project of access to autonomy.

Children, adolescents and young adults integrated into the program may continue to benefit from this scheme, at the latest up to one year after the end of their care by child welfare.