Netherlands: Individual development plans and extra school support

What is passend onderwijs?

In the Netherlands, passend onderwijs means appropriate education. Government guidance describes a school duty of care (zorgplicht) to arrange a suitable school placement for pupils who need extra support. Depending on the pupil's needs, this may involve the current school, another mainstream school or a special education setting.

Schools work within regional partnerships to arrange a basic level of support. Families should ask their school which support is part of its basic provision and which help counts as additional support.

When does an individual development plan apply?

The Dutch government's primary-school guidance explains that pupils receiving extra supervision beyond basic support have an individual development plan, often referred to as an ontwikkelingsperspectief (OPP). It describes educational objectives, the expected level a pupil can achieve and the support needed. The school discusses the plan with parents.

1. Ask the school to describe the pupil's strengths, current barriers and support already tried.
2. Check whether the support is basic or additional, and whether an OPP is being prepared.
3. Ask how learning objectives and support arrangements will be described and reviewed.
4. Discuss whether a regional partnership or another setting needs to be considered, rather than assuming a particular placement.

Questions to bring to the school

• What basic support is available under our regional partnership?
• Why is an OPP needed, and how will we contribute to it?
• Who coordinates the extra support and monitors progress?
• If the current school cannot provide suitable support, what placement process applies?