Examination of the Expertise of Family Social Workers in the Social Work Deployment at Children’s Homes

児童養護施設において家庭支援専門相談員が行う ソーシャルワーク展開上の専門性の検討

Examination of the Expertise of Family Social Workers in the Social Work Deployment at Children’s Homes

Degree Grantors Yamaguchi Prefectural University

The promotion of early family reunification is required from the perspective ofensuring children's rights in children’s homes. Currently, family social workers areassigned to support the smooth reintegration of children into their families. In family reunification support, the development of social work based on high-level expertise is necessary. However, it cannot be said that the expertise required for implementing social work towards children’s family reunification is fully established. Therefore, this study aims to clarify the expertise of family social workers in deploying social work towards children’s family reunification.
Chapter 1 discusses the need to establish theories regarding the unique functions and methods of social work of family social workers by reviewing prior research and　examining the current achievements and challenges faced in their support. Chapter 2 outlines the research objectives and defines key terms. Chapter 3 conducts interview research with family social workers to generate a hypothesis model regarding the factors and interrelations involved in deploying social work aimed at children’s family reunification. Chapter 4 conducts a survey using questionnaires targeting family social workers and examines the generated hypothesis model through covariance structure analysis, presenting insights into the expertise of family social workers' deployment of social work for children’s family reunification. Chapter 5 states the conclusion.
The deployment of social work by family social workers aimed at children's family reunification is shown to stem from a recognition that prioritizes the best interests of the　child, expanding into specific support actions such as "assessment and planning," "support for children and parents," "collaboration inside and outside the facility," and　"evaluation and discernment of family reunification." Particularly, "support for parents" and "collaboration with child consultation centers" were identified as areas of expertise in social work deployment. However, in examining the factors influencing the deployment of social work, the "evaluation and discernment of family reunification" is strongly influenced directly by the "awareness as a professional." This suggests that the expertise in the supportive actions of "support for parents" and "collaboration with child consultation centers" is not being sufficiently realized.

Creators Yamane Chie