PEOPLE have been asked to help use their experience to shape a new ‘Challenging Behaviour Service’.

Health chiefs from NHS East Lancashire and Blackburn with Darwen Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) said challenging behaviour in children can be ‘very distressing’.

They said it can lead to family stress and anxiety and in some cases family breakdown.

Findings show that around 30 per cent of children with challenging behaviour are diagnosed with Autism or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Support for these children and families is offered once they are diagnosed, but it means for 70 per cent of children with no diagnosis, there is no support for available for them and their families.

It has prompted the NHS in Lancashire to work to provide a new ‘Challenging Behaviour Service’ that will help children, their families and/or carers.

For more information on the support that is available, people can contact either Jeanette.pearson@eastlancsccg.nhs.uk or Susan.holloway@chorleysouthribbleccg.nhs.uk.