LANCASHIRE will receive additional funding to improve mental health services for children.

The government has announced that funding will be introduced over three years to build more effective early intervention services in and around schools, building on existing Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).

One in ten children is estimated to have a mental health problem, with early problem behaviours are closely related to academic underachievement, and an increased likelihood of school exclusion, offending, anti-social behaviour, drug abuse, and mental illness in adulthood.

County Councillor Pat Case, chair of the children and young people's Overview and Scrutiny Committee, said: "We have looked at examples of CAMHS provision throughout the county and have found some excellent areas of good practice. We are determined that they should be spread so that wherever young people live in Lancashire, they have access to timely intervention in conjunction with our partner services.

"It's essential that children who need help are seen very quickly because if early problems are not dealt with they can lead to a disturbed young person later on.

"Not every child with problems needs to see a psychologist or psychiatrist - what we need is people who deal with children on a daily basis to be able to rec ognise the signs and to be able to refer to a team for help at the right level."

Meanwhile Lancashire County Council has announced that a new tast group was being set up to make sure children and young people who experience mental health problems get a good service, wherever they live in the county.

Anyone who would like to contribute to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee's task group on CAMHS is invited to get in touch, either by phone on 01772 532229, by email at scrutiny@css.lancscc.gov.uk or by post to Overview and Scruti ny CYP, Lancashire County Council, PO Box 78, County Hall, Preston PR1 8XJ.