The Department for Children, Schools and Families announced 16 million pounds funding as part of the third round of the Parenting Fund that gives financial support to voluntary sector projects that help vulnerable families.

Charities and voluntary organisations will be able to apply for funding from the Family and Parenting Institute (FPI) that manages the fund.

Honor Rhodes, director of development at the FPI said: "The first two rounds showed us all how much can be achieved by the voluntary sector, working in such imaginative ways with families who are troubled by a wide range of difficulties.

"This new fund will allow fresh ideas for effective work with families to be tested. We are looking forward to seeing lots of applications, some projects will develop services for children affected by violence and we are really delighted that the importance of the parental couple relationship is identified as a key concern."

The third round will run from April 2009 to March 2011.

The deadline for applications is 12 December 2008. Full details can be found at www.familyandparenting.org/ParentingFundFunding