How do children fit in these developments? Like square pegs in roundholes. The provisions of the Act will affect anyone who falls within theBill's definition of mental disorder, "any disorder or disability of themind", without differentiation. That would include autism, attentiondeficit hyperactivity disorder, and conduct disorders.
How many children might be affected? We don't have precise figures butthe Mental Health Act Commission found that, between April 2003 andOctober 2006, 1,308 under-18s were detained in adult psychiatric unitswith no special safeguards in place, and 27 of these children were underthe age of 14. Many were placed on mixed-sex wards and the units couldnot continue to provide for the child's education. That practice fliesin the face of recommendations made in the mental health standard of theNational Service Framework for Children, Young People and MaternityServices.
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