Lottery cash for crisis families

About 800 families with "multiple and complex" needs are to be helped by a 拢2.7m lottery grant.

The Big Lottery Fund has awarded the money to a range of children's organisations to set up projects in Dundee, Midlothian and Inverclyde.

The Improving Futures programme aims to give some of Scotland's most vulnerable children the best start in life.

It seeks to provide "tailored and joined up support for families before they reach the point of crisis".

The Big Lottery Fund said the three projects would see some of Scotland's largest charities working with some of the smallest community organisations to test a range of "interventions" for families whose eldest children are aged five to 10 years old.

Develop a model

In Dundee, charities Aberlour, Action for Children Scotland, Barnardo's Scotland and Children 1st will set up a new Early Intervention Team.

The three-year project, which will be awarded 拢900,000, will help 200 families.

Jackie Hothersall from Aberlour said they hoped to develop a model which could be repeated across other Scottish local authority areas.

About 300 families will be helped by an award of 拢899,081 to Midlothian Sure Start.

In Inverclyde, a partnership project between Barnardo's and Inverclyde Council will be given 拢898,920.

It will provide intensive support for 300 families, many of whom have been affected by domestic abuse, mental ill health, addiction, trauma and neglect.

The Big Lottery Fund is the largest distributor of National Lottery good cause funding.