An inpatient admission provides the opportunity for assessment and intervention as children show their strengths and difficulties through the course of the day.

An inpatient admission gives staff the opportunity to observe problems as they occur. We look at what is happening around your child when the problem occurs, what your child does when the problem occurs and what the consequences of the problem are. We talk to your child about their view of what happened. We try out different ways of helping to see what works.

An inpatient admission gives us the opportunity to provide a therapeutic milieu where children can recover from difficulties and learn new ways to cope in the world. We provide an environment where children can get the support they need to do well in class and in their relationships with adults and peers, so they can feel better about themselves. We offer support throughout the day to help children learn how they can enjoy themselves with others and feel pleased with their achievements. We work with children to help them find new ways of getting over problems. We encourage children to help and support each other. For some children we devise more formal behaviour programmes to encourage them to make changes. We work with you to transfer what children learn on the unit to life at home.We are open to your advice and suggestions about how to help your child.

Some children have difficulties which require us to tailor interventions to help them. For instance we work with children with eating difficulties to support them in eating enough to put on weight and tackle the thoughts and feelings driving their behaviour. We work with children who hurt themselves to find safer ways to manage their feelings.

As well as increased opportunities for observation and therapeutic intervention, we are able to offer a number of specific assessments and therapies. These include assessments for autistic spectrum disorders and ADHD, individual psychological therapy, speech and language therapy and occupational therapy. 

For some children on the unit we may suggest or review medication. Any treatment requires parental consent and we only proceed after careful discussion with children and parents. An inpatient unit can provide an ideal and safe environment to alter medication.