Source date: 2026-06-08
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Coordinated and enhanced pathway
A new care pathway for children and young adults under child protection services Published on June 9, 2026 - Service Public / Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
The health status of minors and young adults under the care of child protection services is generally more degraded than that of other children. To address this situation, these young people can now benefit from follow-up by multiple healthcare professionals working jointly. The implementation of this care pathway involves, depending on the situation of the children and adolescents, in-depth work with their families.
The coordinated and enhanced "protected childhood" care pathway was established by an order dated April 21, 2026.
This scheme applies to minors and young adults under the age of 21 cared for by Child Welfare Services (ASE), whether they are placed outside their family environment or followed while remaining within their family.
The objective is for these children and young adults to:
- undergo a comprehensive health assessment upon entry into the child protection system;
- access healthcare services adapted to their personal situation.
In the specifications for the "protected childhood" care pathway, it is recalled that scientific studies regarding the health of minors and young adults cared for by Child Welfare Services show that their health status is more degraded compared to other children. Notably, there is a significant number of:
- cases of underweight or overweight conditions;
- pathologies, traumas, and hospitalizations;
- situations involving disability;
- needs for psychological support.
What are the different stages of the "protected childhood" care pathway?
It is at the initiative of the departmental council services that children and young adults followed by ASE can be integrated into the coordinated and enhanced "protected childhood" pathway.
Child protection professionals then inform those holding parental authority over the children. Throughout the pathway, work is carried out with families to:
- inform them about the scheme and its benefits for the child's physical and mental health, as well as for their proper development and well-being;
- involve them in the care pathway, where possible and depending on the age and situation of the child or adolescent.
The coordinated and enhanced pathway begins with the health and prevention assessment, which is mandatory upon a minor's entry into the child protection system. This assessment helps identify the care needed to improve the child's physical and mental health.
Subsequently, within the framework of the "protected childhood" pathway, a reference physician is identified for each child and young adult; this may be a general practitioner, a pediatrician, or another specialist, depending on individual needs. This healthcare professional is notably responsible for conducting an annual assessment with the child or young adult.
Depending on the patient's needs, the reference physician may:
- prescribe treatment, interventions, or additional examinations;
- refer the minor or young adult to other healthcare professionals for standard outpatient care (such as speech therapy, dermatology, dentistry, ophthalmology, etc.);
- recommend early mobilization of mental health care (sessions with a psychologist, occupational therapist, or psychomotor therapist);
- direct towards structures or specialists (coordination and orientation platforms, hospital services, etc.) in case of complex situations.
The "protected childhood" care pathway lasts 12 months; it is then renewable annually for children and young adults who continue to meet the inclusion criteria for the scheme.
One year before reaching majority, each adolescent integrated into the pathway participates in an individual interview organized by the president of their departmental council. This interview allows them to:
- review their pathway;
- prepare for continued medical follow-up;
- reflect on their project for achieving autonomy.
Children, adolescents, and young adults integrated into the pathway can continue to benefit from this scheme, at the latest until one year after the end of their care by Child Welfare Services.
The objective of a coordinated and enhanced care pathway is for a person to be cared for by multiple healthcare professionals jointly. This type of scheme is covered by Health Insurance.
The rollout of the "protected childhood" health pathway is gradual. It is planned to be accessible throughout the territory by 2028. The deployment strategy is led by regional health agencies in conjunction with departmental councils.
The coordinated "protected childhood" pathway stems from two experiments implemented in several departments during the period 2019-2025:
- The PEGASE experiment, which aimed to strengthen and structure the health monitoring of young children (up to age 7) benefiting from child protection measures. The experiment relied on the implementation of protocols integrating enhanced assessments of the child's physical health, psychological health, and development.
- The "coordinated care pathway for protected children and adolescents" experiment, which consisted of early somatic (physical) and psychic care, with the creation of an annual lump sum per child or adolescent funded by Health Insurance.
Legal texts and references
See also
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Child health Service Public
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Placement of a child by judicial decision Service Public
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What is educational assistance in an open setting (AEMO)? Service Public
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The health of protected and vulnerable children Ministry in charge of health
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Source: Service-Public particuliers