The purpose of this program is to provide a service to youth who require a period of stabilization, assessment, and support to integrate into or back to less intensive services, using client-centered, strengths-based and evidence-informed approaches. This may include youth who have been in a more intensive setting (e.g. hospital) and need a brief interim step before returning to a community setting/home (Step Down) and/or youth whose current mental health needs require a short-term intensive service, but do not meet the threshold for the most intensive services (i.e. hospital or other secure setting) (Step Up).

Charlton Hall provides a therapeutic environment which balances consistency, structure and predictability with individualized and flexible programming. A case management component supports the youth in transitioning to the next placement (which will be identified upon admission), supports connections to other resources and referrals to other appropriate services.

Length of stay is approximately 6 weeks depending on individual service goals and progress. Service components include individual, group and parenting skill development counselling, life skills training, recreational programming, community school support and liaison activities and transitional follow-up.