Understanding Social Services Intervention

Receiving a communication or a visit from social services can cause anxiety and worry. It is a delicate situation that involves the most intimate sphere of family life and the well-being of one's children. Understanding the role of these institutions and knowing how to interact is the first step to approaching the process with awareness and protecting your rights. As an expert lawyer in family law in Milan, Avv. Marco Bianucci assists parents in managing these complex dynamics, ensuring that every action is aimed at protecting the paramount interest of the minor, without unjustly harming parenthood.

The Regulatory Framework: When and Why They Intervene

The intervention of social services is governed by a set of rules, including Law 184/1983, and is activated in the presence of reports concerning possible situations of prejudice to a minor. These reports can come from various sources, such as schools, law enforcement agencies, hospitals, or even private citizens. Their mandate is to verify the situation, offer support to the family unit, and, in more serious cases, report the situation to the Juvenile Court. Activities can range from monitoring and psychological and educational support to requests for more incisive measures, such as the placement of the minor with third parties or the limitation of parental responsibility.

The Bianucci Law Firm's Approach

The approach of Avv. Marco Bianucci, a lawyer with consolidated experience in family law in Milan, is based on strategic analysis and constructive, yet firm, dialogue. The primary goal is to understand the real family situation and collaborate, where possible, with the services to develop a plan that meets the child's needs and overcomes the highlighted critical issues. However, when social services' reports appear partial, incorrect, or harmful to parental rights, legal intervention becomes crucial. The Firm meticulously analyzes every document, record, and report, preparing defense briefs and assisting the client during every interview to ensure their position is correctly represented and that no decision is made on the basis of unfounded assumptions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I don't cooperate with social services?

An attitude of closure or lack of cooperation is often interpreted negatively and can lead services to report the situation to the Juvenile Court. This could lead the judge to believe that the parents are not acting in the child's best interest, with the risk of facing measures limiting parental responsibility. It is always advisable to maintain an open dialogue, while being assisted by a lawyer to protect your position.

Can I refuse a meeting with social workers?

Formally, you cannot be forced to attend an interview in the absence of a court order. However, an unjustified refusal is almost always counterproductive. It is more strategic to attend meetings, preferably accompanied by your lawyer, to understand the reasons for the intervention and provide your version of events clearly and with documentation, avoiding your silence being interpreted prejudicially.

Do social services reports have evidential value in court?

Reports prepared by social workers are considered public documents and constitute a very important piece of evidence in proceedings before the Juvenile Court. The judge tends to give great weight to what is reported in these documents. For this reason, it is essential to promptly contest any inaccuracies, omissions, or incorrect interpretations through defense briefs drafted by an expert lawyer, who can also request a technical consultancy from the party (CTP) to counterbalance the services' assessment.

How long does social services intervention last?

The duration is not predefined and depends on the complexity of the situation and the objectives of the intervention plan. It can range from a few months, to resolve a temporary critical issue, to monitoring that lasts for years in more complex cases. The goal is always to overcome difficulties and achieve family unit autonomy that ensures the child's well-being. The closure of the intervention is ordered when these objectives are considered achieved.

Request an Assessment of Your Case

Facing a process with social services requires balance, clarity, and a thorough understanding of procedures. If you find yourself in this situation, it is essential to act promptly to protect your rights and those of your children. Avv. Marco Bianucci offers legal advice and assistance in Milan to manage every phase of the relationship with social services, from the initial communication to any court proceedings. Contact the firm at Via Alberto da Giussano, 26 for an in-depth and strategic assessment of your case.