Current Status of Infants and Toddlers Foster Care and Development of Foster Care Support Program

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K02222
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 08020:Social welfare-related
• Research Institution: Waseda University
• Principal Investigator: Kamikado Kazuhiro 早稲田大学, 人間科学学術院, 教授 (10623689)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 社会的養護 / 里親養育 / 里親養育支援 / 乳幼児里親 / Watch Me Play!

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Watch Me Play!(WMP), play-based psychological support developed in the UK for infants and toddlers in social care who have experienced early separation from their caregivers, loss and abuse, was researched and practised in Japan. As a result of creating a Japanese version of the manual and other tools for practice, developing a training and inviting the Dr Wakelyn to Japan, it was shown that WMP not only supports children but also improves the skills of caregivers and supporters.

Free Research Field

子ども家庭福祉

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究によりWatch Me Play!プログラムの日本導入が可能になり、社会的養護のもとにいる乳幼児へのアタッチメントの促進や、より早期からの幅広い職種による心理的支援を提供できることが明らかになった。また支援者向けのトレーニングでは、子どもの発達や心理的なサインへの気づき、養育者支援の重要性を含めたチーム養育への意識の高まりなどのスキル向上も促進されたことで、より質の高いケアを早期から提供できる可能性が高まった。