Local services are to receive a multimillion pound investment into improving support for disadvantaged and vulnerable people, it has emerged.

Ed Miliband - cabinet minister responsible for addressing social exclusion - and Beverley Hughes, the minister of Children, Young People and Families, have announced that some £16 million is to be invested into a series of pilot Family Pathfinders.

These initiatives will focus on developing a ‘think family’ model, incorporating the provision tailored support for families at risk and taking into account the needs of both adults and children.

Ms Hughes said: "By working with both adults’ and children’s services, problems can be dealt with before they become entrenched, leading to better lives now and in the future."

She added that an additional £3 million is to be invested over the next three years to help up to six family pathfinders work with those children who are "burdened" by caring responsibilities.

The announcement may lead to the expansion of social care jobs and may be of interest to those looking to use a regional recruitment portal to attract such candidates.

Earlier this week, Rob Pickford, chief inspector for the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales, reported that social and care services in the principality have improved over the last 12 months.

More regional recruitment portal information.