Lancashire Children's Rights Service

Location

Programme manager: Paul Maher

Lancashire Children's Rights Service (LCRS) is a county-wide programme that works predominantly with children and young people who are looked after by Lancashire County Council or receiving leaving care support. The programme also ensures that disabled children and young people can access all parts of the service.

The service covers several areas:

• If children and young people are unhappy about the care they are receiving or there are difficulties with their families, school, health care providers, they can get support to get things changed – this may have to be by making a complaint.
• Children and young people who are victims of sexual exploitation or go missing from care and home are given intensive support that aims to reduce their victimisation and the times they go missing and helps sort out the reasons behind it.
• An independent visitor scheme matches volunteer visitors with children and young people who have lost contact with their birth families. The aim is to build up a great, trusting relationship.
• LACES helps young people to get six-month work placements, one day per week, so they can build their skills and confidence. It is hoped that this will improve life-chances. Volunteers are recruited to help mentor and support young people. Children and young people are supported to get involved in forums and meetings where they can make their views known about services and help decision-makers to make things better.