THE Government has announced a £3m fund to help some of the region’s most troubled families.

The Department for Education will give Durham County Council £3.2m to overhaul its child protection system, in the hope of better helping vulnerable families living on the edge of crisis.

Integrated teams will bring together social workers, family intervention officers and other agencies to give families a single point of contact for all support services.

Social workers will also be helped to provide the right support and care for each child in their family environment.

Children and families minister Edward Timpson said: “This innovative programme will deliver real results for Durham’s vulnerable children and families by focusing on the things that really matter and placing them at the heart of decision making.

“Having worked as a family lawyer in the care system for over a decade, I’ve seen time and time again how ensuring vulnerable families have the specialist help and support they need – when they need it – can help transform their lives and I’m hugely excited to see what this venture achieves.”

Councillor Ossie Johnson, the council’s cabinet member for children and young people’s services, said: “We’re delighted that our bid to the Innovation Programme has been successful.

“This will help us to meet the needs of vulnerable children and families sooner, protecting children and preventing them needing crisis support and coming into care.”

The funding will come from the £100m Children’s Social Care Innovation Programme.