IPPJ Saint-Servais

The Institution Publique de Protection de la Jeunesse (IPPJ) de Saint-Servais is a residential facility for girls located near Namur in Wallonia, the French-speaking region of Belgium. It is the only IPPJ in the Wallonia–Brussels Federation exclusively for girls, meaning young women from across the region, including Brussels, may be placed here. Founded nearly a century ago, the facility will celebrate its centenary in 2026. Staff consider the geographical distance from residents’ home environments beneficial, especially for those from urban settings marked by prostitution, substance abuse, or violence. The IPPJ network forms part of Belgium’s public youth protection system and operates under the Décret relatif au Délinquant de la Jeunesse.

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SMALL-SCALE

The IPPJ de Saint-Servais accommodates thirty-nine girls across several separate houses. The property’s small size allows for close individual follow-up and creates a family-like atmosphere. Each house is dedicated to a particular programme or level of supervision.

SMALL-scale

The IPPJ de Saint-Servais accommodates thirty-nine girls across several separate houses. The property’s small size allows for close individual follow-up and creates a family-like atmosphere. Each house is dedicated to a particular programme or level of supervision.

IPPJ Saint-Servais is a:

Youth facility

for:

39 PEOPLE,
Women

Indicated principles:

Community-integrated, Differentiated

IPPJ Saint-Servais is a:

Youth facility

for:

39 PEOPLE,
Women

Indicated principles:

Community-integrated, Differentiated

IPPJ Saint-Servais is a:

Youth facility

for:

39 PEOPLE,
Women

Indicated principles:

Community-integrated, Differentiated

DIFFERENTIATION

The facility accommodates girls aged twelve to twenty who have committed offences and are placed under judicial order. Placement at the facility involves several programme options tailored to the resident’s stage of reintegration and needs, including a orientation and evaluation unit, an open unit, a education unit and a time-out unit. Residents are placed in these programmes based on judicial decisions and recommendations from the liaison unit.

The facility integrates educational, therapeutic, and personal development activities. Residents attend classes on-site or follow tailored individual educational plans aimed at reintegration into mainstream schooling or vocational training. Therapeutic support includes individual and group sessions addressing emotional regulation, social skills, and trauma. Equine therapy is a longstanding feature of the facility, supporting self-confidence, responsibility, and emotional regulation.

COMMUNITY-INTEGRATION

Daily interaction with the surrounding community is limited due to the age and judicial status of residents. Girls attend school on-site, and contact with the outside world occurs mainly through family visits when authorised. Occasional collaborations with local organisations or participation in community events take place, but these are exceptional. The facility maintains professional partnerships with external organisations in education, vocational training, and mental health care to support gradual reintegration after leaving the IPPJ.

Differentiation

The facility accommodates girls aged twelve to twenty who have committed offences and are placed under judicial order. Placement at the facility involves several programme options tailored to the resident’s stage of reintegration and needs, including a orientation and evaluation unit, an open unit, a education unit and a time-out unit. Residents are placed in these programmes based on judicial decisions and recommendations from the liaison unit.

The facility integrates educational, therapeutic, and personal development activities. Residents attend classes on-site or follow tailored individual educational plans aimed at reintegration into mainstream schooling or vocational training. Therapeutic support includes individual and group sessions addressing emotional regulation, social skills, and trauma. Equine therapy is a longstanding feature of the facility, supporting self-confidence, responsibility, and emotional regulation.

Community-integration

Daily interaction with the surrounding community is limited due to the age and judicial status of residents. Girls attend school on-site, and contact with the outside world occurs mainly through family visits when authorised. Occasional collaborations with local organisations or participation in community events take place, but these are exceptional. The facility maintains professional partnerships with external organisations in education, vocational training, and mental health care to support gradual reintegration after leaving the IPPJ.

The federal youth protection service

IPPJ Saint-Servais

Report IPPJ Saint-Servais

Report still under review

Visited by RESCALED (01/10/2025)

RESCALED

The federal youth protection service

IPPJ Saint-Servais

Report IPPJ Saint-Servais

Report still under review

Report

Visit

Visited by RESCALED (01/10/2025)

WISH-EU

The federal youth protection service

IPPJ Saint-Servais

Report IPPJ Saint-Servais

Report still under review

Report

Visited by RESCALED (01/10/2025)

RESCALED