what are the factors that hinder and promote utilization of maternal and child support facilities

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K20183
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: 0108:Sociology and related fields
• Research Institution: Niigata University of Health and Welfare
• Principal Investigator: watanabe megumi 新潟医療福祉大学, 社会福祉学部, 講師 (90909144)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-08-30 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 母子生活支援施設 / DV / 児童虐待

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Through a survey of local government officials, an attempt was made to identify the factors that lead to a decrease in the number of households entering maternal and child living support facilities (hereafter referred to as "facilities"), regardless of the increase in the number of DV and child abuse cases consulted. The survey covered 600 respondents, with 216 valid responses (valid response rate: 36.0%). About 60% of the staff had experienced cases in which there was an assessed need to use the facility, and about 30% had experienced cases in which there was a need but the family did not enter the facility. Cases assessed as having needs included the need for safety, financial need, and the need for long-term support. The presence of cases that were not initially desired but ended up being admitted suggests that decision-making support by municipal staff was one of the factors that facilitated admission.

Free Research Field

子ども家庭福祉

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

自治体職員は、アセスメントに基づいて母に施設の情報提供を行い、関係機関で支援方針を共有しているが、施設のルールや所在地が入所の阻害要因となっている実態が明らかになった。再被害防止を被害者避難だけに求めず、加害者対策の強化による施設と母子の安全確保をしなければ、施設は母に選ばれず、子どもにとっての最善の利益を優先できる機会を逸することになりかねない。結果的に施設利用の阻害につながるルールの検討も必要である。また、当初希望しなかったが結果的に入所したケースの存在からは、自治体職員による意思決定支援が入所を促進する要因の一つとなっていることが示唆される。専門性の高い職員の確保が必要である。