DCSF announces funding to help families cope in recession

The money includes £1m for relationship counselling charity Relate, and is expected to be used to fund one-to-one counselling sessions for couples and families as well as online debt counselling. Relate will use the money to develop the work it already does in a number of children's centres, offering more services at a reduced rate where families cannot afford to pay.

Children's Secretary Ed Balls said: "It's really tough for families when the main breadwinner loses their job or they are under threat of repossession and it puts an enormous strain on relationships. We won't repeat the mistakes of the past and leave families to cope alone."

Other organisations set to benefit from the funding include online support networks NetMums and Dads Space. Parentline Plus will also receive £150,000 to increase promotion of its 24-hour helpline which it predicts will lead to an increase of up to 2,000 calls a month.  

"Being a parent can be tough at the best of times, but when you are worried about losing your house or job, even the happiest home can become a stressful place. In a stressful situation, asking for help is a sign of strength," said Parentline Plus chief executive Jeremy Todd.