Patterns of mental health care delivered to a cohort of children aged up to 12 years, were studied during the course of one year. The cohort consisted of all new cases from a geographically circumscribed area, entered on a case-register covering the area, from 1st July 1979 to 1 st July 1981. Patterns of care were related characteristics of the patients. New types of classification are needed because most referrals to the mental health services concern families rather than individuals, and are dealt with by teams of health workers.