In the Netherlands, the development of ‘broad schools’ (as they are known) has gained momentum since the 1980’s. This paper addresses the four main questions underpinning this symposium. Moreover, it provides a context for understanding the different faces and phases of the Dutch multi-service schools movement. Universities and research have played a minor role in this development. For a long time principals, school boards and cities have been the ambassadors of this movement. Formal government policy support started in 1994. Connecting educational reform and health and human services reform has been a major challenge in the Netherlands. Despite a growing number of broad schools in primary education, increased experimentation in secondary schools and colleges for further education, and the support from cities and school boards, the future of this movement is difficult to predict. New national policies concerning special education (more inclusive policies and mainstreaming) and specialised youth care (policy authority from provincies to cities) create more opportunities and new challenges at the same time.