JOBLESS families are being helped to find work by their landlord.

Tees Valley Housing has joined forces with a social enterprise group to turn tenants' lives around.

The project, one of only ten pilots across the country, aims to banish worklessness and child poverty.

The social housing provider has extended its Child Poverty Family Intervention Project (CPFIP) in Middlesbrough after teaming up with the Wise Group.

Now the programme is offering 20 eight-week work placements to help families experience life in the workplace again.

Helen Neal, head of supported housing for Tees Valley Housing, said: "Our aim is to take away the barriers that are stopping the families we work with from moving on with their lives.

"Through our joint work with the Wise Group we are raising the aspirations of these families and proving to them that striving for a better future through a career is possible."