A Bay of Plenty trust says new investment will help more families address harm before authorities have to step in.

The Social Investment Fund's putting 50-million dollars into programmes for children with parents in prison, and those who’ve grown up in care.

Among the recipients is Ngati Awa Social and Health Services Trust.

Chief Executive Enid Ratahi-Pryor told Ryan Bridge their aim is to tackle family harm early, before official intervention's needed.

She says you can never remove the need for state intervention at critical times, so it's still a tool that can be used - but their services are prevention focused.