In Belgium, the Communities are responsible for most aspects of child welfare, with the exception of juvenile courts and a few youth detention centers, for which the federal authorities are responsible.

The Youth Welfare Agency recognises and subsidises private providers and services for child welfare, organises the foster care system and manages the social services at juvenile courts in Flanders, so-called community institutions where juvenile delinquents and minors in a problematic situation at home are committed, and other child welfare institutions.

[3] The Youth Welfare Agency was created during the reform of the Flemish public administration in 2006, when the former Exceptional Youth Assistance and Community Institutions administration divisions were merged.

The current minister in the Bourgeois Government, which assumed office in 2014, is Jo Vandeurzen of the Christian Democratic and Flemish party.

[4] In June 2018, the Flemish government decided on a proposal of minister Jo Vandeurzen to merge the Flemish Child and Family Agency with the Youth Welfare Agency, in order to achieve an integrated policy around children.