A new national service giving one-to-one support for the bereaved families of murder and manslaughter victims is to begin work this financial year, justice secretary Jack Straw has announced.

National organisation Victim Support is receiving an extra £2m from the government to fund the new service. All bereaved families will be offered the services of an individual support worker who will conduct a needs assessment and provide specialist emotional, practical and financial help.

Support workers will liaise with the criminal justice agencies on behalf of families and help them access legal services, financial advice and counselling for post-traumatic stress disorder. Support workers will also ensure the families are aware of and fully involved in the progress of the case, and continue to receive support after the criminals have been sentenced.

An extra £8.5m will be allocated next financial year.

Straw said: ‘Losing a loved one is a traumatic and life-changing experience. It is therefore imperative that effective support systems are created to help bereaved families through this terrible time.’

There are around 800 murders and manslaughters each year in England and Wales, leading to up to 3,000 people losing a loved one through violence. The government currently provides £36m to Victim Support and other charities that help to the bereaved.