Youngster

What Youngster does

Youngster is a privately held Dutch youth care organization founded in 2018 and headquartered in Apeldoorn, Netherlands, that delivers specialized residential, ambulatory, and day care services for children, youth, and young adults (ages 8 to 18+) with complex psychiatric problems, behavioral issues, and autism spectrum disorder (ASS). The organization operates four core programs across two locations: the Drie-milieu voorziening in Beekbergen (a low-stimulus, nature-based residential facility for 14 youth aged 12-18 with ASS), the Fasehuis Jeugd in Apeldoorn (protected living for up to 20 children aged 13-17 plus a separate crisis group for ages 8-17), the Woonlocatie Wlz in Beekbergen (independent living apartments for 18+ adults with a Long-term Care Act indication), and Dagbesteding (structured day activities under the "World of Youngsters" brand). Differentiated care methods include Dog-Assisted Interventions using trained therapy dogs under the proprietary DDA DogCare methodology, talent-development-focused programming, and 24/7 specialist care teams.

The underlying technology is service-delivery infrastructure rather than a software platform: physical care settings, trained therapy animals, structured day programs, and the recently introduced Gezondeboel e-health platform (launched March 2026) for blended care. The business model is funded entirely through Dutch public healthcare frameworks — Jeugdwet (Youth Act), WMO (Social Support Act), and Wlz (Long-term Care Act) — with payments flowing from municipalities and zorgkantoren. Youngster holds continuous HKZ quality certification (since 2019, most recently renewed September 2025), is a member of Coöperatie Hesterhuizen for Wlz reimbursement, and operates with a staff of 25-35 youth care professionals across both locations. The go-to-market is exclusively referral-driven via municipal placing authorities, chain partners (ketenpartners), and GGZ partners, with no consumer-facing pricing or paid advertising.

Name

Youngster

Legal name

Youngster

Website

https://youngsterzorg.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Youngster is a private Dutch youth care organization providing specialized residential, ambulatory, and day care services for youth and young adults (ages 8 to 18+) with complex psychiatric issues, behavioral problems, and autism spectrum disorder, funded via Jeugdwet, WMO, and Wlz across facilities in Apeldoorn and Beekbergen.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Residential Care Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Child and Youth Services (624110), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Facilities (6232), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (623210), Residential Mental Health and Substance Abuse Facilities (62322)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Behavioral Health for Children & Adolescents (Youth Services) (HLAFACAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Transition & School-Readiness Support for Special Needs Children (HSAAAIAO), Autism Parent/Caregiver Education & Training (School-Linked) (EDAKAKAJ), Down Syndrome & Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Childcare (HSAAAIAC)

Keywords

• Youth residential care
• Autism spectrum care
• Specialized youth care
• Day activities programs
• Crisis intervention services

Headquarters

HQ city

Apeldoorn

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Jeugdwet-funded care: Care trajectories financed under the Dutch Youth Act (Jeugdwet) via municipalities, based on custom contracts. Trajectories for the Drie-milieu voorziening (ASS group) in Beekbergen and the Fasehuis in Apeldoorn are funded through the Jeugdwet.
2. WMO-funded care: Care trajectories financed under the Social Support Act (Wmo), available for Apeldoorn-based protected living and ambulatory support.
3. Wlz-funded care: Long-term Care Act (Wlz) funded care for young adults (18+) with a Wlz indication at the Beekbergen Wlz residential location. Full reimbursement arranged through Coöperatie Hesterhuizen.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Youngster provides specialized residential care, ambulatory support, day activities, and crisis intervention for youth and young adults (aged 8 to 25+) with complex psychiatric problems, behavioral issues, and/or autism spectrum disorder. Services include three-environment (Drie-milieu) residential group care for youth with autism, a phase house (Fasehuis) with a dedicated crisis group, a Wlz long-term care residence for adults 18+, and a day activities program with creative and sports offerings. All services are delivered at Youngster-owned facilities in Apeldoorn and Beekbergen, Netherlands, and are funded through Dutch government frameworks (Jeugdwet, Wmo, Wlz).

Product overview

Youngster is a youth care and welfare organization providing a comprehensive portfolio of residential care, guidance, and day activities for youth and young adults (12-18+ years) with complex psychological problems, behavioral issues, and/or autism spectrum disorder. The organization operates across multiple locations in Apeldoorn and Beekbergen, Netherlands. Core offerings include: (1) Drie-milieu Voorziening - specialized residential care for youth with ASS in Beekbergen; (2) Fasehuis Jeugd - protected living with intensive guidance for ages 13-17; (3) Crisisgroep - emergency/crisis accommodation for ages 8-17; (4) Woonlocatie Wlz - independent living apartments for adults 18+ with Wlz indication; (5) Dagbesteding - structured day activities program. Supporting modules include the 'World of Youngsters' creative activity space, dog-assisted interventions (hondencoaching), and an e-health platform (Gezondeboel) for blended care. All services emphasize personalized care, talent development, and integration support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• World of Youngsters: A day activity space at the Beekbergen location featuring facilities for music, painting, theater, visagie, technique, games, woodworking and other creative activities.

Products and services

• Drie-milieu voorziening (ASS-locatie Beekbergen) Specialized three-environment residential group for youth aged 12-18 with autism spectrum disorder (ASS) diagnosed per DSM-5, located in the forests of Beekbergen. Provides 24/7 specialized care combining living, treatment, and day activities in a low-stimulus nature environment.
• Fasehuis Jeugd Apeldoorn (13-17 jaar) Protected residential facility for youth aged 13-17 providing protected living with intensive guidance and structured personal development trajectories, preparing young people for independent living. Funded via Jeugdwet.
• Crisisgroep Apeldoorn (8-17 jaar) Dedicated crisis group within the Fasehuis Jeugd in Apeldoorn serving as a safe intermediate stop for children aged 8-17 in acute crisis situations, with 24/7 supervision focused on stabilization and future perspective.
• Woonlocatie Wlz Beekbergen (18+) Intramural residential facility for young adults aged 18+ with autism diagnosis and Wlz (Long-term Care Act) residential indication, offering independent living in apartments with personal guidance and care. Full reimbursement via Coöperatie Hesterhuizen.
• Dagbesteding (Day Activities Program)

Quantifiable outcome

• HKZ quality certification maintained continuously since 2019 through multiple audits and renewals
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Coöperatie HesterhuizencoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 July 2022Youngster became a member of Coöperatie Hesterhuizen in July 2022. The cooperative handles central purchasing of Wlz care and manages administrative processes with healthcare offices (zorgkantoren). Full reimbursement of Wlz care is secured through this partnership. Hesterhuizen is formed by experienced small-scale care institutions sharing knowledge on governance and regulations.
• Samenwerkingsverband Autisme Gelderland (SAG)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSAG is the regional autism network in Gelderland. Youngster participates in SAG network meetings and hosted a meeting at its Beekbergen ASS location. SAG organizes thematic meetings on autism-related topics and connects care providers in the region.
• GGZ partnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYoungster collaborates with multiple GGZ (mental health) partners to provide integrated treatment within its residential facilities. GGZ partners supply therapy modules that are incorporated into the day programs of youth at the Drie-milieu voorziening.
• Onderwijsspecialisten / Samenwerkingsverband VO ApeldoorncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYoungster works with educational specialists and the Apeldoorn secondary education consortium to ensure appropriate schooling for youth in care. Underwijsspecialisten provide tailored educational programs alongside residential care.
• DAVE Dog Assistant (DDA) / Dokter SnuffelminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDog-assisted therapy partnership providing coaching sessions with therapy dogs Dave and Imke on the ASS location. The DDA DogCare program (based on DAI, R.I.E.C.H. coaching, and CoHond methods) is integrated as a fixed part of the day program and day activities.
• A-VISIONminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA-VISION is an educational partner with whom Youngster collaborates on day activities and educational programs at the ASS location in Beekbergen.
• FSG Sportcampus ApeldoornminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFSG Sportcampus serves as an exit/transition location for Youngsters aged 18+ who have progressed toward independence. Residents live in their own apartments on the FSG campus with personal guidance while continuing to develop daily living skills.
• Stichting Gewoon GegundminorOthersAn Apeldoorn-based foundation that helps autistic young people through holidays by providing free activities. Collaborated with Youngster on a skating outing for youth from the Beekbergen location, donating entry tickets, skate rentals, and lunch.
• Platform Vakmanschap JeugdprofessionalsminorOthersA professional community platform for youth care professionals. Youngster staff (Lytitia van Binsbergen) participate as core group members, organizing content meetings and contributing to the platform's four development themes.
• Platform Vakmanschap Jeugdprofessionals facilitated by Nederlands Jeugdinstituut (Nji)minorOthersThe platform is developed by partners of Zorg voor de Jeugd in cooperation with youth care professionals and facilitated by the Nji on 1sociaaldomein.nl. It has over 2,100 members.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Intermetzo (Pluryn): Pluryn/Intermetzo is a major Dutch youth care organization providing residential, ambulatory and specialized treatment for youth with complex psychiatric and behavioral problems. It is a direct incumbent comparable to Youngster across Jeugdwet and crisis residential services, but at substantially larger scale.
• 's Heeren Loo: 's Heeren Loo is one of the largest Dutch providers of care for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including youth with autism and complex behavioral needs. It overlaps with Youngster's Wlz and ASS residential offerings but operates at national scale with a much broader service portfolio.
• Siza: Siza provides residential and ambulatory care for people with (intellectual) disabilities in the Netherlands, including Wlz-funded youth and adult placements. Comparable to Youngster's autism-focused Wlz offerings though with a broader IDD portfolio.
• Amerpoort: Amerpoort is a Dutch care provider specializing in support for people with intellectual disabilities, including residential Wlz-funded locations for youth and adults. Comparable to Youngster's Wlz Beekbergen and ASS residential services but at significantly larger scale.

Direct peers

• Levvel (Amsterdam): Levvel is an Amsterdam-based youth care provider offering specialized residential treatment, crisis care and family support under Jeugdwet funding. Direct peer to Youngster in terms of mission, funding model and target population.
• De Jutters (Youz / GGZ Rivierduinen): De Jutters/Youz provides youth mental health and crisis services in the Netherlands, including residential placements and GGZ-funded treatment for youth with complex psychiatric needs. Comparable to Youngster's crisis group and behavioral residential offerings.
• De Opvoedpoli: De Opvoedpoli provides outpatient and short-term residential youth care across the Netherlands for children with behavioral, developmental and psychiatric issues. Comparable to Youngster in ambulatory and Jeugdwet-funded care pathways, though less residential-focused.
• Cardea Jeugdzorg: Cardea provides specialized youth care in the Netherlands including residential, ambulatory and foster-family services for youth with behavioral and developmental challenges. It is a direct peer in Jeugdwet-funded residential care with comparable target populations and referral channels.

Others

• Coöperatie Hesterhuizen: Coöperatie Hesterhuizen is the cooperative of small-scale Dutch care institutions through which Youngster accesses central Wlz purchasing and reimbursement. It is an enabling ecosystem participant rather than a competitor, but is relevant because it directly shapes Youngster's Wlz revenue mechanics.

Regional players

• Pameijer's Wlz-locaties: Pameijer provides residential and outpatient support in the Rotterdam region for people with autism, IDD and behavioral issues, including Wlz-funded young adult placements. Regional peer comparable to Youngster's Wlz Beekbergen service model and autism specialization, but in a different geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/YoungsterApeldoorn
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/youngster-bv
• Instagraminstagram.com/youngsterzorg

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Youngster