The role of school social workers in preventing child abuse in Fukuoka city ― A case study of in-house school social workers Kenichi Okumura Fukuoka Prefectural University, Department of Social Welfare Japa n

The number of consultations at child consultation centers in Japan Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare （ 2010 ）

Breakdown of child abuse consultations at child consultation centers Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare （ 2010 ） Summary of case results in 2009 welfare administration

Purpose of the study #1 To establish a school system through which school social workers are able to prevent child abuse. #2 To evaluate in-house school social workers. #3 To protect the educational rights of children and facilitate cooperation between teachers and parents as one of the primary roles of the school social worker. #4 To highlight the need for school social workers to communicate with and assist parents with childrearing. #5 Referring to school social workers working in Fukuoka city, to clarify the role of school social workers for the prevention of child abuse.

# The power interaction model was developed by Koji Kadota in Japan. # The model is based on the concept of the power of human thought. # In terms of its methodology, the power interaction model is based on ① advocacy activities, ② group work, ③ Service Adjustment. # Using the power interaction model, school social workers performed intervention at the micro-meso- macro level. Power interaction model

Conceptual diagram ＜ Good power interaction ＞ ＜ Authority power interaction ＞ ＜ Power interaction ＞

#1 Family members → Stepfather, Mother, Older sister(15), Target child(12), Younger sister(3) #2 The main reason for consultation → Physical abuse of this child by stepfather #3 Other issues → Children's problem behavior ( Violent behavior, kleptomania regarding money, running away from home, etc. ) → Discord in the home ( Between husband and wife, between stepfather and son ) → Previously had also been supported by a child consultation center, but without successful intervention. Case summary

#1 Client had been subjected to violence from stepfather on a daily basis. #2 Client repeatedly ran away from home for fear of violence from stepfather. #3 Each time the client defended his mother, stepfather become violent towards him. The relationship between his stepfather and his mother was poor. #4 Due to a variety of behavioral problems seen in school, life at home had been greatly affected. Assessment

1. Advocacy activities #1 From client to stepfather Before you hit me, listen to me. #2 For client from stepfather Respect and obey your signed promises and commitments. #3 For the mother from stepfather Evaluate your own conduct in light of how difficult it is for the stepfather to become real father to the client. The stepfather feels alienated from the home. Planning

2. Group work #1 The client School social workers provided assistance in creating a letter for the client to convey his feelings to his stepfather. #2 At school School social workers provided more than one place of study to the client, He could then choose to use either place depending on his state of mind. #3 In the home To avoid isolation in the home, school social workers offered the stepfather and mother psychological support. The principal, teacher and school social workers conducted home visits on a regular basis. Planning

3. Service Adjustment #1 Temporary protection of the client in a child consultation center for the prevention of physical abuse. #2 The implementation of psychological tests to clarify issues of maladaptive behaviors and communication skills. #3 Employment support for the stepfather to the resolution of economic distress. Planning

Results of the study 1)Due to the child’s temporary protection at the child consultation center, the child was able to temporarily avoid abuse by his father. 2) Discussions on the nature of the abuse proved effective in highlighting the problems and their causes. The in-house school social worker proceeded so as to avoid confrontation with the father while providing victim support and resolving problems from which the abuse had stemmed. 3) The case study was revealing in terms of the background to the child abuse and the complexity of relations between family members.

Conclusions 1)Early intervention by in-house school social workers plays a very important role in preventing child abuse. 2) In view of it being an effective way to prevent child abuse, in-house school social workers should mediate between schools (teachers) and families (parents). 3) Intervention by in-house school social workers also led to an improvement in family member relationships. The breakdown of these relationships may be identified as a cause of child abuse.