Support services
Settling a family in a new country usually raises more questions than money alone can answer - how the local systems work, who to call when you're stuck, or where to find help in a language you understand. The good news is that West Flanders has a well-established network of family support services, most of them free and open to everyone regardless of nationality.
This page walks you through the main organisations that can help, what they offer, and how to reach them.
Overview
Family support in Flanders is organised around a few key organisations, each covering a different need: child health and development, general welfare, and language access. You don't need a referral to contact most of them, and support is free unless stated otherwise.
Kind en Gezin
Kind en Gezin (Child and Family) is the Flemish agency responsible for child health and family support from pregnancy up to your child's third birthday.
They offer:
- Free health check-ups and growth monitoring for babies and toddlers.
- Home visits from a nurse in the first months after birth.
- Advice on feeding, sleep, and early development.
- Referrals to other family or social services if needed.
If your child is born in Belgium, you don't need to do anything - a nurse will automatically contact you shortly after the birth is registered. If you're arriving with a child already under 3, contact your local Kind en Gezin office yourself to get registered.
Huis van het Kind
Huis van het Kind (House of the Child) is a local network found in most municipalities, bringing together childcare, health, and family support services under one roof. It's there for children and young people - and their parents - up to the age of 25.
At your local Huis van het Kind, you can typically find:
- Information sessions and drop-in advice for parents.
- Toy libraries and play spaces for young children.
- Contact points for childcare, schooling, and family benefits questions.
- Links to other local family organisations.
Each city organises its own Huis van het Kind, so what's available can vary between Bruges, Kortrijk, Roeselare, and other municipalities. To find your local one or get in touch directly:
- huizenvanhetkind.be
- kindengezin.be
- CAW helpline - 0800 13 500 / caw.be
Welfare and counselling
For broader family, relationship, or personal wellbeing support, two organisations are worth knowing:
- CAW (Centre for General Welfare Work) offers free, confidential counselling on family conflict, relationship difficulties, housing problems, and mental wellbeing - no diagnosis or referral required.
- OCMW (Public Centre for Social Welfare), run by your municipality, can help with financial hardship, social support, and access to other public services.
Both organisations work with all residents, regardless of income or nationality.
Interpretation and translation help
If a language barrier is making it hard to access family or healthcare services, you don't have to manage alone. The Agency for Integration and Civic Integration (Agentschap Integratie en Inburgering) runs a social interpreting service, which can arrange an interpreter - in person or by phone - for appointments with doctors, schools, or social services.
This service is often free or low-cost when booked through the organisation you're meeting with, so ask them directly whether they can arrange it.
Family mediation
If your family is going through separation, custody arrangements, or another significant conflict, a family mediator can help you reach agreements without going to court. CAW and several private mediators in West Flanders offer this service, and initial consultations are often free.
Good to know: most family support workers in West Flanders speak at least some English, but this varies by organisation and location. When booking an appointment, it's worth asking upfront whether English-language assistance is available, or whether an interpreter can be arranged.
Sources
- Kind en Gezin
- Huis van het Kind - Vlaanderen
- CAW - Centre for General Welfare Work
- Agentschap Integratie en Inburgering - Social interpreting
- OCMW - Belgium.be
paternity leave
