As it has been pointed out that the quality of group homes, where people with disabilities live together in the community, is declining due to the entry of businesses with little experience in welfare, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has been asking business operators since April. It has been decided that efforts will be made to establish a meeting to allow outside observers to take part.
Group homes are being developed to allow people with disabilities to live in a home-like environment in the local community, and the number of group homes has increased to 12,600 nationwide as of the end of March last year, an increase of 1.6 times from five years ago. did.
However, as the number of welfare services continues to increase, a report issued by the national expert panel a year ago pointed out that ``many businesses with little experience in welfare services are entering the workforce, and there are concerns that the quality may be declining.''
In addition, in December last year, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare accused Megumi, a company that operates group homes nationwide, of using only a small portion of the food costs collected from users and systematically turning the difference into profits for the company. I received a recommendation from.
Under these circumstances, starting in the new fiscal year, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare will require business operators operating group homes to make efforts to establish a ``Regional Collaboration Promotion Council'' made up of users, local residents, experts, etc. .
At the meeting, in addition to reporting on the home's operations and receiving advice, residents also visit the group home to see how life is.
Starting from the year after next, the establishment of a meeting will be made compulsory.
The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare aims to improve the quality of services by bringing in outsiders and increasing the transparency of group home operations.