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As part of our research into the experiences of children admitted to inpatient mental health wards, we carried out visits to four different Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) inpatient wards, including:  two general CAMHS wards, one Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and one Specialist Eating Disorder Unit. The primary focus of the work was about how children’s experiences differed for those admitted to a mental health hospital ‘informally’ (that is where they or their parents consented to the admission) compared to those detained under the Mental Health Act. We also spoke to all children more widely about how they felt about being in hospital, and the things that made their stay there easier or harder to manage.