ABSTRACT
There are now over thirty units in the British National Health Service specialising in the psychiatric treatment of adolescents. Each has its own character, some units treating girls only and others boys, but the majority cater for both sexes. The age-range varies, some concentrating on the 11 to 16-plus age group (that is, the stage of secondary schooling) while others admit young school leavers and those in continuing education from 16-plus to 21 years. Yet others restrict themselves to teenagers, i.e., 13 to 19 years.
