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Frameworks within which services are delivered to people with mental health problems neglect the specific needs of those with dependent children. These children have been identified as having risks to their development and well-being. A system of monitoring social assessments of mental health crisis is used to examine the characteristics of parents assessed in seven Local Authorities across 3 calendar years. Parents of dependent children are underrepresented, and are more likely to be women and to suffer from affective psychosis. Ethnic minorities are over-represented. Parents are less likely to be detained following assessment. Further work is needed to establish whether the needs of the family as a whole are addressed.