THE needs of young people and families will be catered for with the launch of a new care service.

After two years of planning and consultation, Lancashire County Council Social Services has unveiled its redeveloped strategy by launching its new Family Support Service.

The new service will replace Lancashire's former traditional day care service and has been developed to provide a more modern, flexible and responsive service to protect and better meet the needs of Lancashire's children, young people and families.

Support will be more flexible and will be provided locally according to the needs of children and families either in the family home, in a range of different venues in the local community, or at one of Lancashire Social Services' ten new family support resource centres across the county.

The new service will provide appropriate packages of care and support tailored to the needs of children and young people aged up to 18 years, and their families, following an assessment and referral from family support social workers.

Support will now be available seven days a week, 365 days a year, with more than 60 per cent of staff working flexible hours enabling the introduction of a phased 8am to 8pm service including weekends and holidays.

Sue Mitchell, head of the county's children's social care said: "Safeguarding and promoting the interests of children and young people is at the centre of the Family Support Service. This new modernised and flexible service will provide a service tailored to those assessed as a child in need, and at times of greatest need.

"It's about planning and offering support and guidance not just for vulnerable children, but for young people and families, for early intervention, prevention and continual support."