Child Guidance Centres in Japan: Alternative Care, Social Work, and the Family

85% of children in alternative care in Japan are housed in large welfare institutions, unlike family-based foster care. This publication examines Japan's isolation from global discourse on alternative care and urges a shift in social work and policies. It provides an ethnographic account from inside child guidance centres, outlining regional variation in policy implementation and discussing organisational cultures. The book challenges the construction of the family-bond in alternative care and highlights new practices. It is a valuable resource for students, scholars, practitioners, and lobbyists involved in alternative care.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 282 pages
Publication date: 29 April 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

In contemporary Japan, a striking statistic emerges: 85% of children in alternative care continue to reside in large welfare institutions, rather than being placed in family-based foster care. This publication aims to shed light on Japan's isolation from global discourse on alternative care, advocating for a necessary shift in social work and alternative care policies. As the first ethnographic account from within child guidance centers, it offers a unique perspective into the closed world of Japan's social services. By delving into the decision-making processes that lead to a child's removal from their family and placement into care, this book contributes significantly to understanding the complexities of Japan's social services. Moreover, it explores regional variations in policy implementation for alternative care, drawing from detailed case studies and engaging in a discussion about the organizational cultures of child guidance centers.

One notable aspect of this book is its challenge to the notion that foster care is solely a professional endeavor. In Japan, where foster care is often perceived as a threat to the child's family bond with their natal parent, it is rarely utilized. Child Guidance Centres in Japan destabilizes this construction of the family bond as singular and discrete, highlighting new practices in alternative care. This book will be an invaluable resource for students, scholars of social work and Japanese studies, as well as practitioners and lobbyists engaged in alternative care. Its insights and analysis will provide valuable perspectives and contribute to the ongoing discussions and reforms in this field.

Weight: 520g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367566920