Hundreds of millions of pounds will be invested to support vulnerable children and families, the education secretary announced yesterday.

Nicky Morgan said £200m will go into the Government's Children's Social Care Innovation programme to fund proposals aimed at helping troubled children and young people.

Councils have been urged to come up with creative plans for helping struggling youngsters in their areas, with the best schemes given a slice of the £200m.

Ms Morgan said: ‘We know children flourish when they are supported by leaders who have been given the freedom to translate their expertise, passion and drive into providing life-changing support. 

‘That's why we're inviting charities and councils to come forward with their most creative ideas to transform the lives of those most in need because no ambition can be too great when it comes to transforming children's life chances.'

The new investment follows the first round of the innovation programme - announced in 2014 - which gave £100m to more than 50 programmes across the country.

Children and families minister Edward Timpson, who spent 10 years as a family barrister and whose own family fostered more than 90 children, said: ‘I know from my time at the Bar and my experience of fostering that when it comes to supporting our most vulnerable young people there isn't a one-size-fits-all approach.

‘That's why we are calling on councils and professionals to continue digging deep, thinking radically and doing whatever it takes to find new and better ways of delivering for our most vulnerable children.'