2018 Volume 14 Pages 5-15
Purpose：The purpose of this research was to clarify the perceptions of collaboration among the staff of the community comprehensive care center, attorneys, and judicial scriveners aimed at ensuring smooth practice of judicial social work for protecting the rights of the elderly and persons with disabilities.
Methods：An anonymous, postal, questionnaire-based survey involved 455 individuals,including the staff of the community comprehensive care center, attorneys, and judicial scriveners in A Prefecture was implemented.
Results：Significant differences were observed across professions, in the analysis of their responses to whether participants were familiar with the phrase, “judicial social work” or had been involved in judicial social works. The maximum number of positive responses was obtained from attorneys, whose collaborations were triggered by their daily operations as adult guardians or their participation in workshops on judicial social work.
Discussion：Gaining a full understanding of each other’s work and sharing information on a regular basis are necessary for smooth collaboration. Judicial social work can possibly be strengthened by providing opportunities for joint training across professions and ensuring active participation of staff from all the three professional spheres.
