On arrival, young people will undergo an Assessment Programme which will typically last 28 days but can be extended if necessary. The assessment is designed to ensure that the young person will benefit from his stay at Donyland and that an appropriate package of care, therapy and education can be provided.

The programme incorporates four elements

• The Common Assessment Framework and Psychodynamic Principles
  
• Purpose designed child-friendly questionnaires including The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire
  
• Daily observations by Therapeutic Care Workers
  
• Reports and observations from our Clinical Team

Depending on the individual need, contributions may be sought from our consultants (Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Child Psychotherapist, Consultant Educational Psychologist) alongside contributions from our own Art Psychotherapists, our Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator and Positive Behaviour Management Co-ordinator.