There are some real horror stories in South Africa about so called child "protection" services as well.
Badly trained, corrupt and unethical. They should be shut down in full.
I've even caught a social worker playing judge and courtroom on her own steam and ruling which parent the child should live with. Outrageous!!!
And government cover things up in embarrassment. There's no recourse to hold officials accountable.
The family courts do not protect the interests or the children. At all! Shocking :(