The support issues that young people face after leaving residential facilities for children with disabilities in Japan

Children with disabilities face higher abuse and neglect rates than their peers. In Japan, most of these children receive alternative care in residential facilities for children with disabilities. Although some research covers outcomes after leaving these facilities, the situation for young people with disabilities remains unclear, particularly regarding the challenges they experience in receiving support. Therefore, this study examined the issues faced by young people with disabilities who received alternative care in residential facilities for children with disabilities due to abuse, neglect, parental absence, illness, or other reasons, after leaving the facility. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 staff members of such facilities in Japan. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The results identified 38 codes and 10 subthemes in three main themes: career paths, issues, and facility and staff support. The findings revealed that young people face significant issues, including difficulties adapting to new environments and managing their health, as well as the support provided by facilities and staff. The study highlights the importance of providing specialized care within residential facilities for children with disabilities to address adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), enabling young people who have left these facilities to adapt to new environments. The system should provide support from trusted and familiar advocates after residential facility placement. Moreover, while personal support from trusted staff is a crucial lifeline, a more formal and stable system is urgently needed to provide continued, proactive support and help these young people successfully transition to independent living.