Social work education at
Japan College of Social Work
Mikio HISHINUMA
Director, Certified Social Worker Field Education
Center, Japan College of Social Work

2024.3.2

JCSW•

Certified social worker•

Social work education atJCSW•

Social work practicaltraining and content ofpractical instruction

Japan College of Social Work
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Certified Social Worker as a nationallyrecognized qualification
Certified Social Worker and Certified Care Worker ActArticle 2 (1)TH0
A Certified Social Worker means a person with expert knowledge
and skills who provides advice, guidance, or welfare services inconsultations about the welfare of persons with physical disabilities
or mental disorder and intellectual disabilities or persons facing
difficulty in leading a normal life due to environmental factors, and aperson engaged in the business of communicating and coordinatingwith and providing other assistance to doctors, other health andmedical service providers, and other related parties.
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Certified Social
WorkerAct Art. 7 (1)Route to becoming acertified social worker

University
student socialwelfare(4 years)

Designated courses

Certified Social Worker exams(Mental health workers can receive exemptions from some exams by applying for exemption at time of course application)

Certified Social Worker status acquiredRegistration

https://www.careshikaku.com/socialsyutokukouz
a_guideJCSW

4Social worker curriculum

Course

Hours

CourseHours

Introduction to medicine

30

Welfare for the elderly

30

Psychology and psychological support30

Welfare for the disabled30

Sociology and social systems

30

Welfare for children and the family

30

Social welfare principles and policies

60

Poverty-alleviation support

30

Fundamentals of social welfare research

30

Health and welfare

30

Foundations of social work and specialist skills

3030Foundations of social work and specialist skills(Advanced)
Social work theory and methodologies

30

Legal system supporting rights
protection
Criminal justice and welfare

60

Social work exercises

30

Theories and methodologies of social work(Advanced)
Community welfare and comprehensive supportsystem
Organization and management of welfare
services
Social insurance

60

Social work exercises (Advanced)

12060

Social work practical guidance

9030

Social work practical experience

24060

Total

1200
530

Social work education at JCSW
Exercises

Practicalguidance

Practicalexperience

2ndsemester

Social workexercises III

Social work practicalguidance ISocial work practical experience
II60 hrs. (Aug-Oct)

1stsemester

Social work
exercises III

Social work practicalguidance I
Social work practicalguidance ILectures
2ndsemester

4th year

3rd year

2nd year

1stsemester

2ndsemesterSocial work theory andmethodologies III

Social work
exercises II

1stsemesterSocial work theory andmethodologies II

Social work
exercises I & II

2ndsemesterSocial work theory andmethodologies I
Foundations of social work andspecialist skills II

1stsemesterFoundations of social work andspecialist skills I

1st yearSocial work practical experience I
180 hrs. (Feb-Mar)

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Aims and purpose of social work practicalexperience① Integrate the knowledge and skills acquired in each subject required for practicalapplication of social work and develop practical skills to provide support based on values andethics as a social worker.
② Understand the situation for people and communities in need of support and grasp theissues (needs) they have in their daily lives.
③ In order to respond to issues (needs) in daily life, create, implement, and evaluate support
plans that utilize the internal resources and formal and informal social resources of theperson(s) in need of support.
④ Understand on a practical level how facilities/institutions/organizations, etc., fit into thelocal community picture and what role they play.
⑤ Understand on a practical level about how to engage and cooperate with multiple
professions, organizations, and local residents in providing comprehensive and inclusive
support, and the specific details of such cooperation.
Source: “Curriculum for Social Worker Development Course,” Social Welfare Human Resources Promotion Office, Welfare Promotion Division, Social
Welfare and War Victims' Relief Bureau, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, March 6, 2020.

7Social work practical experience(items to be included in education)① Basic communication and the formation of smooth interpersonal relationships with users and their relations(family, relatives, friends, etc.), facilities, businesses, institutions, organizations, residents, and volunteers, etc.
② Formation of supportive relationships with users and their relations (family, relatives, friends, etc.)③ Understand the situation of users and the community, grasp the issues (needs) they have in their daily lives, andcreate, implement, and evaluate support plans.
④ Rights advocacy activities for users and their relations (family, relatives, friends, etc.) and evaluation of suchactivities.
⑤ Practical understanding of multidisciplinary cooperation and a team approach.
⑥ Understanding of the role that the training site plays in the local community and outreach to specific parts of thelocal community.
⑦ Understanding of the formation of cross-sectoral and cross-industry relationships, and the utilization,
coordination, and development of social resources in the community.
⑧ Practical management and service administration of facilities, businesses, institutions, and organizations, etc.
(incl. understanding of team management and HR management).
⑨ Understanding of professional ethics as a social worker and roles and responsibilities as a member of anorganization.
⑩ Practical understanding of the following skills required when engaging in social work on the practical level(outreach, networking, coordination, negotiation, facilitation, presentation, social action).
Source: “Curriculum for Social Worker Development Course,” Social Welfare Human Resources Promotion Office, Welfare Promotion Division, SocialWelfare and War Victims' Relief Bureau, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, March 6, 2020.

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Main facilities/organizations where social work
practical experience is conducted◯ Welfare offices◯ Child consultation centers◯ Support facilities for the disabled◯ Special nursing homes for the elderly◯ Mother-and-child living support facilities◯ Relief facilities◯ Social welfare associations◯ Childcare facilities◯ Daily care support offices◯ Community comprehensive support centers◯ Rehabilitation facilities◯ Independent social worker offices

9Four-party interrelationship in social workpractical experience
Interaction

ClientTrainee/Local residents

student

Social work
practicalimplementation

Guidance before, during(once every six days), andafter practical experience

Supervision

Hostfacility/organization
for practicalexperience

University
Cooperation10

Details of preliminary guidance(study-based)① Aims, contents and curriculum for social work practical experience② Legal basis and overview of the practical training facilities/organizations, as well as
their various programs and welfare services③ Issues and topics relating to the field/area of practical training facilities/organizations④ Characteristics of the region where the training facility/organization is located, social
resources, and relationship with the training site
⑤ Knowledge about consultation assistance (code of ethics, Biestek’s 7 Principles ofSocial Casework, etc.)⑥ Skills relating to consultation assistance (interviews, assessments, support plans,mapping, etc.)⑦ Compilation of practical training plans (themes, reason for setting of themes,challenges to be addressed)
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Details of guidance during practical training (back atschool/on visits to facilities)① Understand trainees’ mental and physical condition② Confirm that trainees are taking notes and records about their training
experiences③ Assess practical experience and clarify challenges④ Desire for new challenges/tasks and re-modification of practical trainingplans⑤ Confirmation of administrative procedures in practical training
Guidance is provided approximately once every six days for the duration of practical training
12Evaluation items for practical training
experience (I)① Attempting to understand the situation relating to the user’s (client) life overall② Attempting to understand capabilities or issues the user (client) possesses oris dealing with
③ Attempting to understand the user’s (client) family and social relationships④ Taking an interest in the emotions/feelings of the user (client)⑤ Attempting to engage with the user (client)⑥ Attempting to understand and accept the user’s (client) feelings and actions⑦ Attempting to understand the guidance from the training staff⑧ Attempting to convey opinions and questions to training staff

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Evaluation items for practical training
experience (II)⑨ Attempting to understand staff allocation and organization⑩ Showing an interest in building a relationship with other staff members⑪ Attempt to form relationships with staff members other than those directly
providing practical training⑫ Trying to be mindful of their own emotions/feelings⑬ Attempting to express their emotions to users and staff, and articulate
feelings in words in the practical training record/diary⑭ Trying to examine their own feelings⑮ Contemplating the current social welfare system⑯ Seeking out future topics for learning that are best for them
Mid-term and final evaluations are conducted by the trainee and the trainer, respectively. 14

Details of guidance after practical training① Compilation of practical training report② Preparation for report presentation meeting【Purpose】

・ Summarize discussions at group study meetings before and after
practical training and share the outcomes of the group’s practical training
・ Report to the training facility and the trainers about what has been learned
through practical experience and training
・ Be a forum for motivating younger students about to embark on practicaltraining themselves in the next academic year
Exchange of opinions with the trainer after the report presentation meeting15