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Haarlem/ Zandvoort | June 7, 2023

Sjanneke Schut: 'Trust is everything'

Sjanneke Schut will be missed by parents, children, and her colleagues. After 20 years in education, she has retired. As an administrative assistant, she was often the first point of contact with parents. A connection that remained until the children left primary school eight years later. She was the safe haven for parents, someone they could turn to with their concerns. But Sjanneke also had concerns, particularly about the rise in hidden poverty.

At two of the three schools where Sjanneke worked, 80% of the children have a non-Dutch background. "I see a lot of hidden poverty," says Sjanneke. "By that, I mean a family's income is above the minimum threshold, but their disposable income is much lower. For example, because of debt. The consequences of the coronavirus pandemic are still being felt. Many small businesses didn't survive. Large families were crammed together in small homes all day. That caused a lot of stress and, consequently, more divorces. Many children could no longer go to sports clubs; they never started again. I find that hidden poverty much worse because it's so invisible, making it harder to help people." 

Out of fear, parents do not ask for help

Families relying on benefits are finding their way to support and programs. The municipality gives them a Haarlem Pass, which opens doors more easily. But many families don't qualify for the Haarlem Pass or think they don't. They don't use available support and programs because they simply don't know they exist. Sjanneke: "These families are having a hard time. I see children walking around in unwashed clothes without socks in the fall. Imagine having to survive on €70 a week with three children. But that's the reality for people in debt restructuring. These parents don't ask for help. Many of them are single mothers. They feel vulnerable. Parents are afraid of a Safe at Home notification, afraid their child will be removed from their home. Out of fear, they don't ask for help."  

Long way

Parents are only open to help once they've established a relationship of trust. "It's a long road that you have to walk calmly," Sjanneke explains. "That simply takes a few years. First, there has to be a relationship of trust, only then will mothers share their concerns and seek help. I try to maintain close contact. For example, the children get fruit twice a week at school. I offer any leftover fruit to mothers I think are struggling. If they're happy with that, I have another point of contact. For many parents, it's too big a step to approach the IB'er or even the teacher when they're struggling. They've known me since they came to enroll their child. I'm not a threat; that's the advantage of my position. I simply arrange help. It's a big part of my job and also the part that I get the most satisfaction from." 

Practical problems

Practical obstacles are also often the reason children don't participate in sports or cultural activities. "The vast majority of the children I apply for a grant for participate in sports. That's fantastic. I also really want to encourage children to take music or dance lessons. But if you have four children to pick up and drop off at the club, that's a bridge too far for many parents. That's a shame. Swimming lessons are also a problem. Since the pandemic, there have been long waiting lists at the swimming schools here for which the Youth Fund grant is sufficient. Parents who don't speak Dutch well often don't know how to put their children on the waiting list. Then they go to a swimming school that has space but is twice as expensive. They don't realize that they have to pay a large portion themselves because the Youth Fund grant isn't enough." 

Making it possible together

Sjanneke guided them to support and ensured that children could participate both in and out of school, even if families weren't formally eligible. "The municipality has strict income limits for things like the Haarlem Pass. But that doesn't apply to disposable income. You often see people falling far short. Fortunately, I have good contact with the Youth Fund in Haarlem. Together, we ensure that families who aren't formally eligible for a contribution from the Youth Fund still receive help. That makes me happy."  

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