More than £4 million is to be invested into organisations, including those operating in the public sector, which provide services to children, young people and families in Wales, it has emerged.

In news that might interest those seeking care jobs, a total of 17 groups working in the health and social services sector will receive £1,475,723 in 2008-09 from the Children and Families Organisation Grant.

The two following years will see the groups get a total of £1,393,582 and then £1,272,478 reported Gwenda Thomas, deputy minister for social services in Wales.

She said: "The organisations that have successfully applied for the Children and Families Organisation Grant play a crucial role in supporting children and their families that need extra support.

"This is yet another example of how we are working across the Welsh Assembly government to improve the life chances of children in Wales and contributing to the fight against child poverty."

Bodies which applied successfully for the grant include Autism Cymru and Adoption UK, with the announcement potentially helping such third sector groups to maintain sustainable efficiencies.

Earlier this month, it emerged that a total of £3.8 billion is to be invested into local authorities in Wales in 2008-09.

More about sustainable efficiencies.