According to §§ 1666, 1666a BGB, the family court can always take measures up to the withdrawal of personal custody if the physical, mental or emotional well-being of the child is endangered and the parents are not willing or able to avert the danger and this danger cannot be countered in any other way, not even by public assistance. This must be a present danger to such an extent that it can be predicted that the child will almost certainly suffer significant harm if circumstances continue to develop. Because of the parental primacy, the child's well-being must be permanently and seriously endangered. The proceedings are initiated ex officio by the competent family court, in particular on the basis of suggestions from the Youth Welfare Office, which in turn takes action, for example, on the basis of reports from neighbours, educators, teachers or relatives.