Implementing the Employment Choice Support Model Project

Takashi Kawauchi
President, NPO Racine

Overview of the Employment Choice Support Model Project

In the 2024 fiscal year, the Employment Choice Support Model Project in Kagoshima Prefecture was implemented primarily through six employment transition support providers in Kagoshima City and Izumi City, involving a total of ten target individuals.The project yielded meaningful outcomes, as many participating individuals gained the opportunity to think independently about their future employment. For supporting staff, it was also a valuable chance to reaffirm the importance of assessment and the principles of person-centered, team-based support.
The Employment Choice Support proved to be an effective scheme for helping individuals deepen their self-understanding and choose a way of working that suits them. It also clarifies practical methods for providing flexible, individualized support tailored to each individual’s unique life circumstances.

Case Example from the Model Project

In this case, the model project was applied alongside a Work Assessment conducted by an employment transition support office. The target individual, recently discharged from a psychiatric hospital, expressed a wish to use welfare services related to employment.
Assessments were carried out in three settings

1. An employment transition support office,
2. A Type B workplace offering work activities that interested the individual, and
3. The individual’s home.

Because both human and physical environments differed across these settings, the assessment enabled a more multifaceted understanding of the individual. While this individual was able to adapt to changes in the environment, those whose physical or mental condition is more sensitive to such changes should preferably have assessments conducted in a single, consistent setting, or one adapted to their individual characteristics.

The assessment covered a variety of work situations: training with work samples within the office, computer-based tasks at the Type B workplace, and at-home practice focusing on computer operations and online communication. The at-home support was provided in accordance with the Guidelines on the Use of Home-Based Services in Employment Support Programs (Employment Transition Support, Continuous Employment Support Type A/B).

Furthermore, information was gathered to identify each individual’s interests and areas of expertise. This was aimed at linking these with future career aspirations. Through these efforts, we were able to accurately ascertain each person’s capabilities and potential. As a result, individuals can now make choices regarding their working style that are more true to themselves.

Multi-Agency Coordination Meeting

Based on the assessment results, a multi-agency coordination meeting was held. Participantsincluded the consultation support specialist, visiting nurses, the hospital social worker, theindividual concerned, and their family members.

The meeting lasted about an hour. Each participant shared their views from their respectiveprofessional perspectives, and the group jointly confirmed the content and direction of the supportplan. Care was taken to use language that the individual and their family could easily understandand to respect the individual’s right to make their own decisions throughout the discussion.

The individual who has completed the assessment phase remarked, “It gave me an opportunity tothink seriously about employment.” The family also expressed positive feelings, saying, “At first,because of our child’s withdrawal, we thought using a Type B support service at home would bebest. But through the Employment Choice Support process, we realized the possibility of attendinga day program, and we now feel hopeful that one day our child may be able to work outside ourhome.”

Since the Employment Choice Support Scheme isn’t intended to evaluate employability or assignindividuals to specific welfare services, the meeting did not cover decisions about particularservices or facilities. These matters were later discussed separately with the individual, their family,and the consultation support specialist.Overall, the meeting facilitated effective informationsharing among involved support professionals and helped align support policies and approaches,which was seen as one of the main accomplishments of the project.

Roles of Support Professionals and Related Organizations

Related organizations are required to deepen their understanding of the Scheme and consider how it can be applied in ways that reflect local circumstances through councils and similar forums. In addition, consultation support specialists need to undertake care planning training and have their workloads appropriately adjusted; special needs schools must consider the timing of service use and provide explanations to parents/guardians; and local governments are required to review designated service provider applications and examine the practical implementation of the Scheme in light of regional resources and conditions.

Support professionals and related organizations play a vital role in connecting participants to services and employment opportunities that best suit their individual needs through their daily interactions. By making effective use of the Scheme, it becomes possible to accurately assess each person’s abilities and support employment choices that reflect their true selves.

Furthermore, close collaboration and information-sharing among support professionals across the community is expected to create an environment in which individuals can work with greater confidence and security. Such a partnership also enhances the support professionals’ skills and strengthens the regional support system.

Through your continued cooperation, let us work together toward building a society in which individuals can feel secure in envisioning and pursuing a way of working that is true to who they are.