ABSTRACT
The programme philosophy at the child and family psychiatric unit of the Family Restoration Programme has been developed over a 14-year period. The World Health Organisation has stated that the increase in suicide in adolescents is epidemic. Whether there is a real increase in the number of psychiatrically ill children, or whether our increasing awareness makes us more sensitive to the number of disturbed children previously undiagnosed, is a point yet to be decided by research. The Family Restoration Programme seeks to evaluate and diagnose a child prior to hospital admission. This evaluation will involve nurses, social workers and teachers observing the child functioning in his normal environment. A screening committee looks at the available information, confers with anyone professionally involved with the family and makes a decision regarding whether he should be hospitalised and when.
