【Purpose】This study was aimed at assessing the recognition by certified social workers at regional comprehensive support centers of the need for collaborating and cooperating with legal professionals.
【Methods】An anonymous self-administered questionnaire was distributed to 207 employees of regional comprehensive support centers in prefecture A. In addition to the basic attributes, issues associated with judicial social work and the subjects’ recognition of the need for collaborating with legal professionals were assessed. The data used in this study was reported by the same researcher in the past. But we classified the data as social workers or others different from the report of the past.
【Results】Valid responses were obtained from 123 employees (59.4%). In response to questions pertaining to whether the certified social workers had any experience in collaborating with legal professionals and to their willingness to collaborate with other occupations, there were significant differences between occupations, indicating that certified social workers are highly willing to collaborate. Daily attendance at adult guardian activities or workshops served as the beginning of such collaborations.
【Conclusions】Increased collaboration opportunities with legal professionals enhanced the willingness of the subjects to collaborate. Increasing opportunities for interaction with each other and building a stronger relationship to consult each other may lead to smooth inter-professional working (IPW). Additionally, the results demonstrated that certified social workers can be the key persons to promote IPW.