TAKAHASHI Iku

This paper reports on the practice of the “Children and Families Happiness Project,” a community collaboration initiative launched in fiscal year 2023 by Institute of Child and Family Social Work Education affiliated with the Faculty of Social Welfare at Yamaguchi Prefectural University. Addressing complex community challenges such as isolated parenting households, school refusal, support for children with developmental disorders, and support for children requiring medical care, the university leveraged its educational and research functions to collaborate with related organizations. This collaboration resulted in the development of six support programs aimed at enhancing the well-being of children and families. Students actively participated in each practice, forming a mutually reinforcing cycle of support and learning. This research presents a new model for supporting children and families, where the university-affiliated research institute functions as a hub connecting local support resources, complementing existing systems.

Advances in perinatal and paediatric medicine have led to an increase in children requiring ongoing medical care while living within their local communities. This study aimed to identify challenges in enabling children with medical needs to enrol in local schools and participate fully in school activities. A literature review was conducted, analysing 20 peer-reviewed academic papers published in Japan between 2015 and 2025. The results revealed that challenges concerning the enrolment and participation in school activities of children with medical needs can be categorised into the following five domains: diverse circumstances of children with medical needs, systems concerning enrolment and support, teachers’ expertise, parental burden, and coordination within and outside the school and shortage of nursing staff. These challenges are interrelated and suggest they may constrain school attendance and participation in local schools.