This briefing focuses on the experiences of children living in mental health wards and shows how Covid-19 and lockdown has affected their hospital experience. To understand more about the experiences of this vulnerable group of children during Covid-19, the Children's Commissioner surveyed ward managers and spoke to staff and children in two wards. They found that there were some positive changes reported. Children told them that, on the whole, the atmosphere on their wards was calm, with staff doing their best to allay anxiety. Things that children have been asking for over many years – increased access to mobile phones and the internet – were introduced in order to increase contact with friends and family. However, there have also been significant challenges, which have made things even more difficult for these children, including a reduction in visits from their family; a deal of disruption to education during this period; and visits from external professionals such as family therapists and advocates dropped alarmingly. Finally, Covid-19 has also hampered arrangements for getting children home when they were ready to be discharged.