The powers devolved to the département by article L. 1423-1 and article L. 2111-2 are exercised, under the authority and responsibility of the president of the département council, by the departmental maternal and child protection service, which is a non-personalised service of the département.
This service is headed by a doctor and includes qualified staff, particularly in the medical, paramedical, social and psychological fields. These staff work in multidisciplinary teams. The professional qualification requirements for these staff are set by regulation.