The Prime Minister is to chair a childhood and families ministerial task force that will look at how cost-effective improvements can be made to services for young people.

Launched today at a Barnados event by deputy prime minister Nick Clegg, the task force's recommendations could make substantial changes to how those in social work jobs deal with children from vulnerable families.

"We are realistic - it is not government's job to create happy families," said Mr Clegg. "Our job is to dismantle the barriers that prevent families from giving their children the best start."

"The role of this group will be to identify and prioritise a small number of specific policy proposals that will make the biggest difference to children and families."

In his speech, Mr Clegg outlined several priorities for the task force including the issues of parental leave, family support, improved play spaces and reducing the pressure on children to grow up too quickly. He said that a key priority of the task force would to consider how funding for social care jobs could be optimised to give disabled children access to greater support, creating "better community-based care to give them more support."

Mr Clegg confirmed that the government will invest an additional £20m in respite care beginning April 2011. This money is reportedly the result of the new government's decision to end contributions to child trust funds.