More than half feel understaffed: High level of support and organizational challenges revealed in survey of over 3,000 disability welfare facilities
A survey conducted by NPO Human Resources Development Organization found that while disability welfare facilities provide high-level support to users, they face challenges in staffing shortages, workload, and team communication. 3,271 responses were collected.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 28, 2026 at 16:10
- 🔍 Collected: April 28, 2026 at 08:01
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 28, 2026 at 09:36 (1h 34m after Collected)
NPO Human Resources Development Organization (Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; Chairman: Masao Mizutani) conducted an anonymous survey (3,271 responses) targeting disability welfare facilities nationwide through "Fukushi Survey Quill" (https://fukushisurvey.jp/quill/) and analyzed the actual situation regarding "abuse prevention and organizational structure."
The results of this survey confirmed that basic support attitudes, such as responsiveness to users, respect for rights, and consideration for privacy, are generally practiced at a high level. On the other hand, challenges were observed in organizational and environmental aspects, such as personnel shortages, workload, and team communication.
■ How the average scores in this survey are calculated
In this survey, responses were obtained on a 4-point scale for each question, and the average value was calculated as follows: "4 points = achieved/agree," "3 points = mostly achieved/somewhat agree," "2 points = not very achieved/somewhat disagree," and "1 point = not achieved/disagree."
The approximate average scores are as follows:
3.5 or higher: Very high standard (sufficiently practiced)
3.0-3.4: Generally good (practiced at a certain standard)
2.5-2.9: Some issues (room for improvement)
2.4 or lower: Significant issues (requires priority action)
■ Items practiced at a high standard
The survey results showed that items directly related to abuse and rights protection are practiced at a very high standard.
In particular, the following items received high evaluations with an average of 3.5 or higher:
・No inappropriate physical contact or sexual remarks: Average 3.74
・Considerate response to user privacy: Average 3.68
・Appropriate management of users' money and valuables: Average 3.65
・Appropriate response such as not forcibly guiding users: Average 3.62
These results suggest that ethical values and a basic stance on support are deeply ingrained in the field.
■ Challenges of personnel shortages and workload
On the other hand, in items related to organizational management, challenges were observed in both personnel systems and workload.
Specifically,
・Sufficient number of staff relative to the number of users: Average 2.47
・Initiatives to reduce workload such as record keeping and administrative tasks: Average 2.98
Both scores were below or close to 3.0.
Furthermore, more than half (51.1%) of the staff felt a shortage of personnel.
These results suggest that, in addition to personnel shortages, efforts to reduce workload are also insufficient, indicating a structural lack of leeway/capacity in the field.
■ Team and staff conditions
In addition, regarding items related to team and individual conditions,
・Feeling of the workplace as a "place to belong": 2.99
・Feeling of user satisfaction: 2.94
・Able to take appropriate rest when feeling unwell: 3.05
These results indicate certain issues in staff's psychological leeway and internal organizational communication.
■ Looking ahead
This survey revealed that the quality of services in the disability welfare field is supported by the high ethical values and support awareness of each individual staff member.
However, the following initiatives will be important going forward:
・Review of staffing allocation and workload
・Strengthening team communication
・Ensuring psychological safety for staff
The construction of a sustainable organizational structure that does not overly rely on individual efforts is required, and strengthening the organizational support system is considered a crucial theme for the future.
■ Survey Outline
Survey period: November 18, 2024 - March 31, 2026
Number of responses: 3,271 (cumulative responses)
Target audience: Staff of disability welfare facilities
Survey tool: Fukushi Survey Quill https://fukushisurvey.jp/quill/
Survey content: Actual situation regarding abuse prevention and organizational structure
[Contact for this matter]
Company name: NPO Human Resources Development Organization
TEL: 03-5206-7831
Email: support@fukushisurvey.jp
About NPO Human Resources Development Organization
NPO Human Resources Development Organization aims to foster human resources and support organizations in the disability welfare field. We provide opportunities for staff working in the field to enhance their expertise and improve the quality of support in their daily work, and aim to contribute to the improvement of the overall quality of services and social evaluation in the disability welfare industry by fostering "job satisfaction" and "pride in their work" for each staff member. Furthermore, we contribute to promoting the employment of people with disabilities in companies and develop initiatives that connect welfare and society.
[Company Profile]
Organization name: NPO Human Resources Development Organization
Location: Yuki Building 4F, 2-4 Kagurazaka, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-0825
The results of this survey confirmed that basic support attitudes, such as responsiveness to users, respect for rights, and consideration for privacy, are generally practiced at a high level. On the other hand, challenges were observed in organizational and environmental aspects, such as personnel shortages, workload, and team communication.
■ How the average scores in this survey are calculated
In this survey, responses were obtained on a 4-point scale for each question, and the average value was calculated as follows: "4 points = achieved/agree," "3 points = mostly achieved/somewhat agree," "2 points = not very achieved/somewhat disagree," and "1 point = not achieved/disagree."
The approximate average scores are as follows:
3.5 or higher: Very high standard (sufficiently practiced)
3.0-3.4: Generally good (practiced at a certain standard)
2.5-2.9: Some issues (room for improvement)
2.4 or lower: Significant issues (requires priority action)
■ Items practiced at a high standard
The survey results showed that items directly related to abuse and rights protection are practiced at a very high standard.
In particular, the following items received high evaluations with an average of 3.5 or higher:
・No inappropriate physical contact or sexual remarks: Average 3.74
・Considerate response to user privacy: Average 3.68
・Appropriate management of users' money and valuables: Average 3.65
・Appropriate response such as not forcibly guiding users: Average 3.62
These results suggest that ethical values and a basic stance on support are deeply ingrained in the field.
■ Challenges of personnel shortages and workload
On the other hand, in items related to organizational management, challenges were observed in both personnel systems and workload.
Specifically,
・Sufficient number of staff relative to the number of users: Average 2.47
・Initiatives to reduce workload such as record keeping and administrative tasks: Average 2.98
Both scores were below or close to 3.0.
Furthermore, more than half (51.1%) of the staff felt a shortage of personnel.
These results suggest that, in addition to personnel shortages, efforts to reduce workload are also insufficient, indicating a structural lack of leeway/capacity in the field.
■ Team and staff conditions
In addition, regarding items related to team and individual conditions,
・Feeling of the workplace as a "place to belong": 2.99
・Feeling of user satisfaction: 2.94
・Able to take appropriate rest when feeling unwell: 3.05
These results indicate certain issues in staff's psychological leeway and internal organizational communication.
■ Looking ahead
This survey revealed that the quality of services in the disability welfare field is supported by the high ethical values and support awareness of each individual staff member.
However, the following initiatives will be important going forward:
・Review of staffing allocation and workload
・Strengthening team communication
・Ensuring psychological safety for staff
The construction of a sustainable organizational structure that does not overly rely on individual efforts is required, and strengthening the organizational support system is considered a crucial theme for the future.
■ Survey Outline
Survey period: November 18, 2024 - March 31, 2026
Number of responses: 3,271 (cumulative responses)
Target audience: Staff of disability welfare facilities
Survey tool: Fukushi Survey Quill https://fukushisurvey.jp/quill/
Survey content: Actual situation regarding abuse prevention and organizational structure
[Contact for this matter]
Company name: NPO Human Resources Development Organization
TEL: 03-5206-7831
Email: support@fukushisurvey.jp
About NPO Human Resources Development Organization
NPO Human Resources Development Organization aims to foster human resources and support organizations in the disability welfare field. We provide opportunities for staff working in the field to enhance their expertise and improve the quality of support in their daily work, and aim to contribute to the improvement of the overall quality of services and social evaluation in the disability welfare industry by fostering "job satisfaction" and "pride in their work" for each staff member. Furthermore, we contribute to promoting the employment of people with disabilities in companies and develop initiatives that connect welfare and society.
[Company Profile]
Organization name: NPO Human Resources Development Organization
Location: Yuki Building 4F, 2-4 Kagurazaka, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-0825