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The Mental Health Support Teams provide direct, ongoing mental health and wellbeing support for children, young people, parents and carers.

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Our Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) across Pennine Lancashire support primary schools, high schools, special schools, colleges and PRUs.
Schools and colleges where the MHSTs are currently based:
Each team consists of:

Educational Mental Health Practitioners (EMHPs) x 4

Mental Health Practitioners (MHPs) x 2

Senior Mental Health Practitioners (SMHPs) x 1

There is also one clinical lead for Blackburn with Darwen and one for East Lancashire

The MHSTs provide direct, ongoing mental health and wellbeing support that includes:

Evidence based interventions, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), creative problem solving for children and young people with mild to moderate mental health conditions including anxiety, depression/low mood, sleep problems, panic attacks, specific phobias and behavioural and emotional regulation

The teams also provide guidance around coping with issues such as exam stress and bullying, concerns related to historical self-harm and injury - learning to cope/new strategies, concerns related to current non-life threatening self-harm/injury - basic harm reduction, assessing risk and management advice. Children who require more specialist interventions will be directed to the child psychology service or have direct access to the ELCAS core team

Emotional difficulties that are secondary to autistic spectrum disorder or ADHD or learning difficulties

A consultation request for support process that ensures children and young people receive the right support to meet their needs

One to one and group sessions, assemblies and whole class support

Education, advice and training to staff within schools, with support for the mental health lead within each school or college

Working with schools to implement their whole school approach developing a positive ethos and culture for pupils and families, promoting good mental health and wellbeing across the school

Advice to school and college staff and liaising with external specialist services to help children and young people to get the right support and remain in education

Parent led sessions as groups or 1:1s

Parent education sessions e.g., the internet and the impact on mental health

The teams work with children, young people and families from a variety of backgrounds and aim to provide a culturally sensitive service.

When should a Child or Young Person access the MHST?

The team's ambition is to provide an early, evidence based intervention when young people experience a mental health problem. Any concerns regarding a child or young person needs to be raised with the senior mental health practitioner who covers the young person's school. When the request for support is accepted an initial assessment is arranged either via the Attend Anywhere digital platform, or, if available, in a safe and confidential area within the school. Parents are often contacted to assist with the assessment. To support primary school children our teams will look at the best way to meet a young child's needs, for example: children's group sessions or parent sessions.

Most therapy appointments take place in the young person's school although if a room is not available or this is not appropriate, other local venues can be agreed. The team can also offer appointments remotely on the remote platformm, Attend Anywhere, authorised by the NHS.

We use questionnaires and other rating scales to help with our assessments, to understand the young person's difficulties and to see whether we have been able to make a difference.

The team liaises closely with Child Psychology Services, and the input of this service can also be considered at the point of request for support. If the child's need is such that they require a more specialist intervention or would benefit from a multi-disciplinary approach (e.g. with ELCAS) this too will be discussed with the referrer.

Who can request support from the MHST?

Most requests for support come from the young person's school. School requests for support often come from the school's Designated Mental Health Lead (DMHL) or pastoral lead. Other school staff can request support but this would ordinarily have been agreed first with their respective DMHL or pastoral lead. The request for support process works best if a discussion is held with the MHST about the young person first with the teams' senior practitioners.

If you are concerned about a young person's mental health over the holiday period, please see your GP in the first instance who will consider a referral to ELCAS who will pass your referral to the appropriate team.

Managing big change

Managing big changes such as the transition from primary school to secondary education can be extremely daunting.

The workbook below is designed to be downloaded and printed for young people to complete whilst offering guidance and hints and tips.
Download here

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Mental Health Support Teams (school-based)

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Our Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) across Pennine Lancashire support primary schools, high schools, special schools, colleges and PRUs.

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Warm Spaces page allowing residents and councillors to search for places that have been made available within Lancashire to assist with the cost of living crisis.
There are options to look at a list, search by postcode, district or electoral division.

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Find a warm space at Brierfield Library:
Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 7pm
Wednesday Closed
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 1pm
Saturday and Sunday Closed

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Brierfield Baptist Church, Thursday from 6:30pm until 8pm.

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Brierfield Methodist Church, every Thursday, 11:30am - 1:30pm have a food bank, serve hot meals and a warm place - free to all.

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Mondays, 2pm - 4pm, Brierfield Working Men's Club on Walter Street are offering a warm place and free refreshments at their 'Nattershack'.

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Nelson Churches Foodbank

The Salvation Army, Stanley Street, Nelson is an active member of the Nelson Churches Foodbank. They jointly host the foodbank along with Christ Church on Carr Road, Nelson. If you are in need of help you can come along to the Foodbank at the following times:

Monday - Christ Church 2pm to 4pm

Tuesday - The Salvation Army 2pm to 4pm

Wednesday - Christ Church 2pm to 4pm

Friday - The Salvation Army 2pm to 4pm

Other foodbanks and agencies who can help

St Philips Church Foodbank

St Phillips Church, Leeds Road, Nelson, BB9 9TD
Email stphilipsnelson@gmail.com
Telephone: 01282 877640
Tuesday 11am to 1pm

Nelson Community Mosque

Email: ncmfoodbank@gmail.com
Telephone: 01282 899195 or 07873 282580

St Bartholomew's Community Grocery

Telephone: 07564 811269

Colne Open Door Centre

1 Great George Street, Colne
Telephone: 01282 860342
manager@opendoorcentre.org.uk

Centre can be accessed by all in the community for help with food poverty Monday to Friday 10am - 4pm.

West Craven Foodbank

West Craven Foodbank website
Email: wcravenfood@gmail.com
Telephone: 07415 186651

Pendle Food for All club
www.facebook.com/pendlefoodforall
Pavilion Community Hub, Victoria Park
Victoria Park Pavilion Community Hub Cafe Facebook page
Curry on the Street

Curry on The Street Facebook page
Email: curryonthestreet@gmail.com.
Tel: 07486 572419

These services may change from time to time, so we cannot guarantee the full accuracy of this information.

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The Salvation Army, Stanley Street, Nelson is an active member of the Nelson Churches Foodbank. They jointly host the foodbank along with Christ Church on Carr Road, Nelson.

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Bright Sky app - Support for Domestic Abuse

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Bright Sky app - Support for Domestic Abuse

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If you are concerned about domestic abuse, we know it can be hard to find support. That's why Bright Sky was developed.

Download Bright Sky today because you never know when you might need it to save someone's life.

Bright Sky is a safe, easy to use app and website that provides practical support and information on how to respond to domestic abuse. It is for anyone experiencing domestic abuse, or who is worried about someone else.

Bright Sky helps you to spot the signs of abuse, know how to respond, and help someone find a safe route to support.
The app can be downloaded for free via the app stores. Please only download the app if it is safe for you to do so and if you are sure that your phone isn't being monitored.
Launched in partnership with Vodafone Foundation and Thames Valley Partnership, the app hosts a UK-wide directory of specialist support service and offers users assessment tools to help you spot the signs for someone experiencing domestic abuse. It has had over 80,000 downloads since its launch in 2018. The website is focused on how to spot the signs of domestic abuse, advice on how to support someone you have concerns for, and ways to find help.
Features

The app is available in 5 languages: English, Urdu, Punjabi, Polish and Welsh.

A unique UK-wide directory of specialist domestic abuse support services with contact details.

Content to help you understand if you or someone else is at risk .

Links to further resources and information on domestic abuse.

Information to help you to stay safe online.

Please only download the Bright Sky app if it is safe to do so. If you are in immediate danger, always call the police on 999. Visit Bright Sky Online
Contact

To add or amend the details of a specialist service on the Bright Sky app, please complete the form below.
Update service details on Bright Sky
If you have any other enquiries about Bright Sky, you can email [email protected] .

For media enquiries, please contact: [email protected]

Download Bright Sky posters, social media graphics and other marketing materials to help promote the app:
Download Bright Sky asset pack Read the Bright Sky Privacy Policy

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The Bright Sky app provides support for those experiencing domestic abuse as well as those concerned about friends and family members

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Food bank open on Wednesdays, 11am-4pm at The Lighthouse Centre (corner of Walter Street and Halifax Road) for those in need.  A free hot meal is also served on Wednesday at 12:30pm.

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Kooth is your online mental wellbeing community. Access free, safe and anonymous

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Supporting children and their families.

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We believe that everybody deserves the chance to reach their potential, achieve their dreams and fulfil their aspirations.

The inequality that exists up and down the country means that many communities face complex challenges - simply getting by is tough.

Our mission is to support children, adults and families across the country, ensuring that when life presents difficult circumstances we're there every step of the way to make sure they get the support they need.
Inspiring lives, changing futures.

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The inequality that exists up and down the country means that many communities face complex challenges - simply getting by is tough. Our mission is to support children, adults and families across the country, ensuring that when life presents difficult circumstances we're there every step of the way to make sure they get the support they need.

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Support after a crime.

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Need help after crime?

Get in touch anytime for independent, free, and confidential advice:

In an emergency you should always call 999.

Our services are confidential. We will only share information about you without your consent if we're concerned about your, or someone else's safety, or if we're required to by law. Read our privacy policy.

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Victim Support is the independent charity dedicated to supporting victims of crime and traumatic incidents in England and Wales.

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Live chat, links to support services and refuges.

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Children and Young People's Services

We provide a positive environment where children and young people feel safe and live free from abuse, helping them to thrive in all areas of their development.

Jane's Place Recovery Refuge

We recognise that there are situations where survivors need extra help and much higher levels of support, often over a longer period beyond.

Refuge services for women and children

Our refuges are open to women and children 365 days a year. We are staffed 24/7 to ensure we can respond effectively to emergency referrals to help those in crisis or in immediate need, and also to maintain security and safety for all our residents throughout the day and night.

Connect & Respect

SafeNet are delivering our Healthy Relationships programme 'Connect & Respect' to Secondary schools across Lancashire. These sessions are delivered by our domestic abuse specialists and partner agencies.

Bury Services

Our specialist Community Outreach Services in Bury offer confidential, emotional and practical support in the community, helping those experiencing domestic abuse to stay safe and receive professional support with housing-related issues.

Men's Services

We deliver a dedicated safe-house for men who are escaping domestic and interpersonal abuse. We also offer emotional and practical support whilst recognising and addressing the gendered differences in the nature of abuse experienced.

SafeNet Safe Houses

In addition to refuges, we also offer safe-houses in the North West. These residential properties are a stepping stone to independent living and are situated in confidential locations.

Lancashire Safe At Home

Domestic abuse causes significant trauma to the victim-survivor. Children often also experience abuse. Domestic abuse is a crime.

We can support you with information, support & safe accommodation for anyone affected by domestic abuse, stalking & honour-based abuse in Burnley, Preston & Lancaster.

Rochdale Services

Our community Outreach Services in Rochdale offer confidential, emotional and practical support in the community, helping those experiencing domestic abuse to stay safe and receive professional support with housing-related issues.

Lancashire Refuges

You deserve to be safe, happy and healthy in your relationships with your family, friends and community. Domestic abuse affects many people, regardless of age, gender, financial status, location, religion or sexuality.

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Domestic Abuse Services and Refuge in the North West - Safenet

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Keeping women and children safe from domestic abuse throughout the North West for forty years.

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Providing emergency accommodation for women and children fleeing domestic violence.

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Support for mental health and wellbeing, money advice, employment support, justice and safety.

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We are working towards a Lancashire where all women and girls are valued and treated as equals, and are empowered to be able to transform their lives.

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Protecting children from abuse

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The NSPCC is the UK’s leading children’s charity, preventing abuse and helping those affected to recover. Help us be here for children. Please donate now.

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Supporting women and children impacted by domestic abuse

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Refuge is the largest domestic abuse organisation in the UK. On any given day our services support thousands of women and their children, helping them to overcome the physical, emotional, financial and logistical impacts of abuse and rebuild their lives - free from fear.

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Housing advice and support.

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There's so much you can do locally and nationally to build a fairer housing system.

Sign up now to be kept updated on our work, campaigns, fundraising activities, events, volunteering opportunities, and products and services.

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Shelter believes everyone should have a home. More than one million people a year come to us for advice and support via our website, helplines and national network of services. We also tackle the root causes of bad housing by campaigning for new laws, policies, and solutions.

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For support with work, money, housing and immigration.

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Volunteer with us

Over 16,000 highly trained volunteers support the delivery of our service. Our volunteers come from a range of backgrounds and find volunteering rewarding, challenging and fun. We have a range of roles in local Citizens Advice and Witness Service, want to find out more?

Our volunteer opportunities

Find your local Citizens Advice

For more information and advice

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Online free advice from Citizens Advice to help you find a way forward, whatever the problem. Our research enables us to campaign on issues affecting people's lives.

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Building a society that supports men as hands-on fathers and father-figures

The Fatherhood Institute is a UK charity working to build a society that values, prepares, and supports men as involved fathers and caregivers.

Evidence shows that involved fatherhood has unique and significant impacts on children, mothers, and fathers themselves; improves children's wellbeing and outcomes; and helps progress towards gender equality at home and in the workplace.

Our work focuses on research, policy, and practice. We publish research reviews, take part in new studies and test promising family interventions; advocate for policy change; produce practice resources; and train practitioners in perinatal, early years, education, and social care services.

In July 2023 we started a Parliamentary petition calling on the Government to improve its statutory paternity offer, by:

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Paying employed fathers two weeks' paternity leave at 90% of salary

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Introducing a 'daddy month' of four weeks' parental leave, paid at the same rate

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Introducing a Paternity Allowance for fathers who are not employees

If 10,000 people sign the petition by 11 January 2024, the Government will have to respond to this proposal.

Our policy work streams

Discover our work to create more father-inclusive policies and services

Our research

Read our high-quality research reviews, co-investigations with eminent universities, and empirical research

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The Fatherhood Institute is a UK charity working to build a society that values, prepares, and supports men as involved fathers and caregivers. Our work focuses on research, policy, and practice.

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Find Childcare and Family Support in Lancashire

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Previously children's centres and Young People's Service. We support families of babies, children and teenagers (0-19 years old) and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities up to 25.

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Previously children's centres and Young People's Service. We support families of babies, children and teenagers (0-19 years old) and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities up to 25.