Arm yourself.
Knowing how the system works and what is required of social workers (or any
one else in your case) is your best offense.  Put them on the defensive by
forcing them to do their job properly!
If you're going to have to "play the game" (as they call it) then you need
to know what the rules are.  For California, call the State Department of
Social Services in Sacramento at (916) 657-3661 and tell them you want a
copy of DIVISION 31, the CHILD WELFARE SERVICES PROGRAM Manual of Policies
and Procedures.  They will direct your call to the proper department and an
order form will be filled out over the phone.  Ask to be on their update
list.  They will automatically send you updates to the manual as they come
available.  Your FREE copy of the manual should arrive in about two weeks
from the date it was ordered.  This manual is THE SOCIAL WORKERS BIBLE.  It
contains the regulations they are supposed to follow.  Other states should
have something similar, but I don't know what it is called.  Call the
State Department of Social Services in your state and explain what the
manual is.  They should then be able to help you.
Read this manual from cover to cover and document EVERY violation that has
been comitted in your case.  Give a copy of it to your attorney(s).  The
next time you go to court your attorney can put the social worker on the
stand and basically "put them on trial", forcing them to defend their
actions.  This takes much of the focus off of you.  If your attorney puts
you on the stand, your attorney should focus on ALL the things you've done
to comply with the court orders, additional steps you have taken to get
your child back, and your concern for your child (i.e., regression in
foster home, poor grades, lack of progress in therapy).  This strategy will
NOT guarentee a win, but if done right, it can change "the flavor of the
court" in your favor.
You can also fax copies of the violations (along with a brief cover letter)
to the agencies listed below.  This could start an internal investigation
into your case.
  This one is California only:  Childrens Operation Bureau;
        Attn: Bill Lamb; Fax  (916) 445-2898 or (916) 445-2836
  This one is National:
        US Commission of Child & Family Welfare; Attn: Kevin Costigan;
        Fax (202) 401-5539
Call the Administration for Children & Families and ask where to send or
fax your letter for their attention in this matter.  The phone number is:
(202) 401-9200.
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Make them 'put it in writing'!
If CPS tries to force you to do something that is not in their plan (i.e.
Reunification Plan or Family Maintenance Plan), tell them to put it in
writing.  (Example:  CPS tells you that you can not talk to your child
about the past or the future.)  Chances are you will be told "I don't have
to put it in writing.  I told you what to do."  At that point, simply
inform them that you are not legally obligated to do so unless you have a
court order and that you do not feel that the actions they want you to
take are in your child's "best interests".  (Some attorney's will balk at
this.  They want to keep the peace and they don't want you to make the
judge angry.  There is some justification to this way of thinking, so run
this by your attorney first.)
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