This book overviews current therapeutic models and the environments of inpatient treatment for children and adolescents with mental health needs. The authors provide guidelines for practitioners so that they can make a well-informed choice for the child and the family on how and when to use such services as hospitals, group homes and residential treatment centres.

The authors discuss: factors to be considered before removing children from their home and school settings, types of treatment offered, the effectiveness of residential programmes, and alternatives to residential placements, such as part-time day and community-based treatment.