Until they are grown, children are dependent on adults and they need their protection.When they go to court because they have been hurt or not cared for by their parents, this is called a juvenile dependency case. If parents fail to care for their children properly, a juvenile court steps in. The child is then said to be a dependent of the court.
When this happens the minor is exposed to a variety of options. One, the minor may have to live with relatives or another family for a while. This is a foster care arrangement. Also, the child may still live with their parents but under court supervision. If the parent can later convince the court that they can properly care for the minor, the child can move back home. This is called reunification.
Sometimes, however, guardians may lack the capability to give their children a safe and secure environment. Such a case may force the judge to find the child another home where the child will be safe. Simply put, a permanent plan is made for the child.
Social workers also play an important role in all this. They are the people who try to keep the children safe. They help children who get abused or neglected by finding another place for them to stay. They go to court so that the judge can decide the best way to help the child.
A judge is the person who has the last and final decision with regards to a dependency case. He reviews the case and considers the safety of the minor before making the final decision about how the child will be taken care of.
Also important in such cases are lawyers. They represent all the parties named in the case. Those who usually have lawyers are the social worker, the individual currently caring for the child and everyone else with a part in the case. Each and every party has the right to be represented in court by a lawyer.
At times the court appoints a Court Appointed Special Advocate. This may be an individual who volunteers to help with the dependency case. They talk to other people, mostly children, and then they recount to the judge what they have learnt. The special advocates spend time with the children listening to them. Later, they tell the story to the court. Apart from that, they also make suggestion to the court about what can be done to provide the child with a healthy and safe environment.
Children also play an important role in dependency court. They may be brought in as witnesses. This will make them subject to questions from the lawyers and sometimes even the judges. It is paramount that everything is done to make the child comfortable so as to ensure they give accurate and reliable information.
All parties should be aware of their responsibilities since these will guide them. They should take the case seriously and ensure they attend all court meetings and hearings. All plans for treatment set by the court should be complied with and if there is any problem the treatment provider and social worker ought to be informed. The involved parties should always check the court proceedings and their appointments with the court.
When this happens the minor is exposed to a variety of options. One, the minor may have to live with relatives or another family for a while. This is a foster care arrangement. Also, the child may still live with their parents but under court supervision. If the parent can later convince the court that they can properly care for the minor, the child can move back home. This is called reunification.
Sometimes, however, guardians may lack the capability to give their children a safe and secure environment. Such a case may force the judge to find the child another home where the child will be safe. Simply put, a permanent plan is made for the child.
Social workers also play an important role in all this. They are the people who try to keep the children safe. They help children who get abused or neglected by finding another place for them to stay. They go to court so that the judge can decide the best way to help the child.
A judge is the person who has the last and final decision with regards to a dependency case. He reviews the case and considers the safety of the minor before making the final decision about how the child will be taken care of.
Also important in such cases are lawyers. They represent all the parties named in the case. Those who usually have lawyers are the social worker, the individual currently caring for the child and everyone else with a part in the case. Each and every party has the right to be represented in court by a lawyer.
At times the court appoints a Court Appointed Special Advocate. This may be an individual who volunteers to help with the dependency case. They talk to other people, mostly children, and then they recount to the judge what they have learnt. The special advocates spend time with the children listening to them. Later, they tell the story to the court. Apart from that, they also make suggestion to the court about what can be done to provide the child with a healthy and safe environment.
Children also play an important role in dependency court. They may be brought in as witnesses. This will make them subject to questions from the lawyers and sometimes even the judges. It is paramount that everything is done to make the child comfortable so as to ensure they give accurate and reliable information.
All parties should be aware of their responsibilities since these will guide them. They should take the case seriously and ensure they attend all court meetings and hearings. All plans for treatment set by the court should be complied with and if there is any problem the treatment provider and social worker ought to be informed. The involved parties should always check the court proceedings and their appointments with the court.
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