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Educational and Family Studies – Research Group Clinical Child and Family studies

The research group Clinical Child and Family Studies is dedicated to creating equal opportunities for every child. A healthy, safe, and stimulating environment provides the foundation for a society in which everyone, with or without a disability, can participate and thrive.

We aim to create a society where knowledge from developmental pedagogy actively promotes equal opportunities, well-being, and inclusion.

Our Focus Areas

Theory Development
We study parenting and relationships in child development, considering the social, cultural, and societal context. Our work informs care practices in youth and disability services, focusing on effective, practical, and evidence-based support.

Prevention, Intervention, and Diagnostics
We develop and evaluate interventions and tools to improve participation, mental health, and well-being for children, parents, and individuals with intellectual or neurodiverse needs, while reducing caregiver overload.

Implementation
We make knowledge accessible and applicable through collaboration with social care organizations, care providers, and experts by experience. We also integrate this knowledge into our bachelor’s and masters programs, as well as into training for care professionals.

Our Approach

Collaboration and co-creation are central to our approach. In academic collaborative centers, researchers, professionals, and experts by experience jointly develop knowledge that directly addresses practical needs. We also work nationally and internationally, using multidisciplinary methods such as psychophysiology and artificial intelligence to better understand and support children, families, and communities.

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Veni grant for developmental pedagogue Lianne Bakkum

Veni grant for developmental pedagogue Lianne Bakkum

Children of parents with an intellectual disability are more often placed in child protective care than other children. They are referred at a younger age, remain in care for longer, and are more frequently placed in out-of-home care. Why does this happen? How do their care trajectories differ from those of other families? And which factors play a role in this? With support from a Veni grant from NWO, Lianne Bakkum will investigate this.

See VU news item for more details
Lianne Bakkum

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FGB – Educational and Family Studies
Room MF D435
Van der Boechorststraat 7
1081 BT Amsterdam

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