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Dependency Decoded

Stage 02 of 14

Before court

The home visit

A worker coming into your home to assess your living conditions feels invasive. Knowing what they are actually looking for — and what you can decline — changes how the visit goes.

  1. Stage 1: When DCYF first contacts you
  2. Stage 2: The home visit
  3. Stage 3: Safety plans and voluntary placement
  4. Stage 4: If your child is an Indian child
  5. Stage 5: The Family Team Decision Meeting
  6. Stage 6: The shelter care hearing
  7. Stage 7: Fact-finding and disposition
  8. Stage 8: Your case plan and parenting programs
  9. Stage 9: Review hearings
  10. Stage 10: The permanency planning hearing
  11. Stage 11: Reunification
  12. Stage 12: Guardianship, adoption, and other outcomes
  13. Stage 13: Appeals and other remedies
  14. Stage 14: Moving forward

Do you have to let them in?

You do not have to allow entry unless there is a court order, law enforcement is present and believes there is an immediate safety concern, or you consent.

  • Be polite but clear. You can say you are not comfortable allowing entry without legal advice.
  • Ask whether the visit is voluntary or court-ordered.
  • Ask what the allegations are before answering questions.
  • Do not give false information. Declining is not the same as lying.

If entry is forced without legal authority, write down exactly what happened and call a lawyer immediately.

What they are actually assessing

The focus is on serious safety concerns, not housekeeping. Dishes in the sink and laundry on the floor are not why children are removed.

  • Whether the home is free of significant hazards, with working utilities
  • Whether there is enough food, weather-appropriate clothing, and a safe place to sleep
  • Whether supervision matches the child’s age
  • Whether dangerous items — medications, chemicals, weapons — are secured

Preparing for a scheduled visit

  • ✓ Clear hazards and clutter. Safe and functional matters; spotless does not.
  • ✓ Make sure there is food in the home.
  • ✓ Secure medications, cleaning products, and any weapons.
  • ✓ Make sure every child has a suitable place to sleep.
  • ✓ Gather medical records, school records, and any custody paperwork.

If they want to speak with your child

For an interview at your home you can ask to be present, ask that your lawyer be involved, or ask to consult a lawyer first.

Prepare your child simply: tell the truth, answer the question asked, and say so if you do not know.

What happens after

  1. The case is closed with no further action.
  2. Voluntary services are offered.
  3. A written safety plan is proposed.
  4. A dependency petition is filed, which starts a court case.

The law that applies here

Read the official text yourself.

Each entry begins with our plain-language explanation, followed by the official section caption. Use the link to read the complete, current text on the official Washington government website. The official text controls.

RCW 26.44.050

Abuse or neglect of child — Duty of law enforcement agency or department of children, youth, and families — Taking child into custody.

Plain-language explanation

Sets the duty to investigate a report and the circumstances in which law enforcement or the department may take a child into custody.

Read the official text

RCW 26.44.030

Reports — Duty and authority to make — Duty of receiving agency — Duty to notify — Case planning and consultation — Penalty for unauthorized exchange of information — Filing dependency petitions — Investigations — Interviews of children — Records.

Plain-language explanation

Sets out who must report suspected abuse or neglect, what the receiving agency must do with a report, and the authority to investigate and to file a dependency petition.

Read the official text

RCW 13.34.090

Rights under chapter proceedings.

Plain-language explanation

Gives parties the right to a lawyer, to present evidence, to be heard, to examine witnesses, and to a decision from an unbiased fact finder based on the hearing evidence. It also addresses appointed counsel.

Read the official text