Dependency court cases involve allegations of child abuse, neglect, or abandonment. The primary function of the dependency court is to intervene when a minor has suffered severe harm intentionally inflicted by a parent or guardian. Then, the court makes custody and placement decisions.
Before a social worker can file a petition with the court, they first evaluate the family home environment after receiving an initial complaint. If the parent cooperates, the social worker takes a supervisory role with regular home visits. Counseling or emergency services may be recommended depending on the situation.
If the parent refuses to participate or the social worker believes it necessary to involve judicial action to safeguard the child's well-being, the authorities can remove the child from the household. The dependency court then supervises the child's care with the help of attorneys, investigators, social workers, and advocates.
The dependency court aims to repair the family unit and keep it together without resorting to criminal punishments, which requires parental cooperation. Some households require rehabilitation plans that may involve drug treatment, counseling, or finding an appropriate place for the child to live.
In severe circumstances, when households fail to implement the court-ordered plan "in good faith," or the child's return home would cause them harm, the dependency court judge becomes liable for the child's permanent removal, and the removal of parental rights may come into play.
