The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare announced a plan to increase the number of child welfare officers by 2000 at a meeting of related ministries and agencies related to child abuse prevention measures held yesterday (15th), one year ahead of schedule by the end of next year (2021). (FY) I showed the prospect of achieving it.
The number of child welfare officers has been increased to strengthen the child guidance center system three years ago (2018) after a 5-year-old girl died in Meguro-ku, Tokyo without being given enough food. We are planning to increase the number of child welfare officers who handle the situation by more than 2,000 to a system of more than 5,200 nationwide.
According to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, it was originally planned to be completed by the end of 2022, but it is expected to be achieved by the end of 2021 next year, one year ahead of schedule.
In addition, we will increase the number of child psychology officers, who provide mental care, by nearly 800 by the end of next fiscal year, aiming for a system of more than 2,100 people nationwide.
At child guidance centers nationwide, the number of cases of abuse is increasing year by year, and in addition to strengthening the system by increasing the number of staff, training staff with little experience is an issue.