Securing suitable places for discharged juveniles to settle down in has become more and more difficult because live-in workplaces have decreased while an increasing number of parents are apt to abuse their children.Under these circumstances,officials specializing in family support(family social workers)started to be deployed to each support facility for development of self-sustaining capacity since FY2004.They work on guardians to facilitate juveniles'early return to their own homes and provide continuous consultation on daily life for juveniles after discharge.

  Children's homes for supporting development of self-sustaining capacity are private facilities that provide safe places for children and juveniles who have been discharged from support facilities for development of self-sustaining capacity or children's homes.As of April2005,there were32children's homes for supporting development of self-sustaining capacity in16prefectures,with a capacity of about250juveniles in total(Source:The Equal Employment,Children and Family Bureau,Ministry of Health,Labour and Welfare).Most of these children's homes for supporting development of self-sustaining capacity can accommodate around six juveniles each,and staff officials live together with juveniles,offer consultation,and assist their development of self-sustaining capacity.These homes,positioned as a part of the juveniles'self-sustaining capacity support program,receive grants from the government and municipalities.