Dependency levels of long-term mentally disabled people in hospital and community settings were compared using a behavioural rating scale called REHAB in a health district where a policy of community care had been implemented. It was found that the performance of subjects in the community settings was better than those on the admission ward, but was worse than half the people normally found in traditional psychiatric settings. The policy of community care would seem to have been successful insofar as this group of subjects was able to remain in community settings. Comparison of the REHAB factor scores suggested differences in the behavioural competence of subjects supported by community psychiatric nurses and social services staff compared to those attending a psychiatric day hospital.