A person of integrity who is able to treat younger people with compassion. Flexibility to think from the other person's point of view is also necessary. Also, being a good listener is an absolute must, as it is his/her job to receive consultations.

Child Guidance Center counselors are "child welfare officers" and "child psychologists" who work at the 225 Child Guidance Centers located throughout Japan (as of April 1, 2021). They consult with children (from infants to boys and girls under 18 years of age) and their families regarding their problems, and provide guidance, advice, and assistance to those in need of protection and help. Child welfare officers investigate children's personalities, behaviors, and family situations, and their job is to find the best solutions and provide guidance in cooperation with institutions and schools, while child psychologists grasp children's psychological situations and provide examination and guidance from a psychological perspective. Child Welfare Officers and Child Psychologists do not provide guidance alone, but cooperate with each other and with doctors and nursery school teachers to provide counseling and other services.

Both Child Welfare Officer and Child Psychologist are not national licenses, but rather certifications of appointment, so they are generally obtained by taking designated courses at a university or junior college. However, in order to actually work in this field, one must then pass a local civil service examination. Since there are only a few positions available, it is necessary to be proactive and try to pass multiple local government examinations.

Due to the increase in child abuse and crime, the government has set a goal of increasing the number of child guidance center counselors. In addition, the need for child welfare officers and child psychologists is increasing not only at child guidance centers but also at child welfare facilities. The matters to be consulted are becoming more segmented, and it is expected that more extensive guidance and follow-up will be required in the future. Qualifications such as "certified psychologist" and "certified social worker," which are recognized as national qualifications, may be advantageous in the future.

Since they are only local public officers, their income is based on the salary structure set by each local government. Starting salary varies by municipality, but is roughly 200,000 yen per month for a college graduate.

In principle, the company works eight hours a day and has a full workweek, but if interviews with parents of children can only be done in the evening, it means overtime. Although the number is small, they also work on their days off.

Child Guidance Centers and various child welfare facilities are always established in each prefecture and government-designated city.

It's a chart that shows at a glance the main routes to getting a job as a child guidance counselor!