Care Records at Japanese Child Welfare Centers and Child Welfare Facilities

The Importance of Accessibility for Care Leavers

Abstract

This study investigates out-of-home care record-keeping practices in Japanese child welfare centers and private child welfare facilities, and also discusses the impact of such records on care leavers. In Japan, the importance of good record keeping and data management is gradually being recognised due to life story work and other situations in which care leavers require access to specific records. However, Japanʼs record retention period is less than adequate when compared to that of Australia or the UK, where there are significant numbers of care leavers. As a result, even when care leavers wish to access their records, they may not always have ready access. This study presents a case concerning the management and use of care records in a private child welfare facility, and issues related to access of records by care leavers.