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Welcome to East Lancashire Child and Adolescent Service (ELCAS)

In many areas of the country, this service is known as CAHMS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services). Across Lancashire and South Cumbria, a new model of care for children and young people's mental health service has recently been implemented on the THRIVE model of care. THRIVE is child and young person centred and a needs led approach to delivering mental health services to children and young people. THRIVE has replaced a tiered service to reduce barriers accessing care. There are five categories within Thrive: Thriving, Getting Advice, Getting Help, Getting More Help and Getting Risk Support. ELCAS services are aligned to the THRIVE model of care. 

Who are we?

We are a mental health service here to support children and young people, up to their 18th birthday. East Lancashire Child and Adolescent Service is made up of people from different professional backgrounds that are skilled in working with children, young people and their families and we support professionals who need help and advice.

The teams include consultant psychiatrists, psychologists, mental health nurses, social workers, mental health practitioners, specialist therapists, risk support liaison practitioners and a team of friendly secretarial and admin staff who will be your first point of contact should you contact ELCAS by telephone. 

Please let us know if you are an unpaid carer

Are you an unpaid carer? If you are, or you have a carer, please scan the QR code below and have a look for more help and advice.

Caring for someone who relies on you can sometimes bring practical and emotional problems which may affect your health and wellbeing.

We understand the pressures carers can be under and would encourage you to get in touch with Carers Link Lancashire as we may be able to help. Think about these questions for a moment:

• Do you get enough sleep?
• Is your health affected?
• Are you thinking about giving up work to care?
• Do you get any time to yourself?
• Do you worry about what would happen to the person you care for if something should happen to you?​

For carers to be able to maintain a life outside of their caring responsibilities it is important that they get the help and support they need and deserve. This website has been designed for you, the carer, to access as much information as possible.

If you live in East Lancashire and are providing unpaid care for a family member or friend you can register with us, for free, either by telephoning us or using the form below. We will contact you within 7 working days and have a brief discussion about the services we provide. We will then make an appointment to speak to you in person - at your home if required - and send you a welcome pack.

Once you have registered you can use as many, or as few, of their services as you like. All our services are free and confidential and are designed with carers and their needs in mind. You will also receive a free biannual magazine to keep you up to date with support that’s available.