Staff Support for Family Relationship and Life Story Work for Children at Residential Care Facilities for Children with Disabilities in Japan.

Abstract

This study aimed to identify the social care support provided by life story work and children's family relationships for children with disabilities in medical-type residential care facilities for children in Japan and the challenges thereof. The participants were 12 staff from residential care facilities for children with disabilities experienced in providing ongoing support to children admitted for social care purposes. Semi-constructive interviews on the life story work and support for family relationships practiced with children admitted to a residential care facility for children with disabilities for social care were conducted with the participants. The interviews were recorded and analyzed using thematic analysis. The analysis resulted in 32 codes, 10 sub-themes, and four main themes. The main themes were family form, children's thoughts on their family, support for family relationships, and readiness for life story work. In some cases, children were not informed about their negative situation, that is, the reason for admission or their family situation. This was due to the lack of a unified view on life story work among staff and insufficient organizational readiness. The results suggest the need for a unified understanding throughout the organization, as well as the need to disseminate the methodology of life story work for children with disabilities.