Existing law establishes the jurisdiction of the juvenile court, which may adjudge a child to be a dependent of the court under certain circumstances, including when the child suffered or there is a substantial risk that the child will suffer serious physical harm, or a parent fails to provide the child with adequate food, clothing, shelter, or medical treatment. Existing law authorizes a social worker to commence proceedings in the juvenile court to declare a child to be a dependent child of the court by the filing of a petition with the court. In any case in which a social worker, after investigation of an application for petition or other investigation, determines that a child is within the jurisdiction of the juvenile court or will probably soon be within the jurisdiction, existing law authorizes the social worker, in lieu of filing a petition or subsequent to dismissal of a petition already filed, and with the consent of the child’s parent or guardian, to undertake a program of supervision of the child.