Aims and methodTo examine care pathways and characteristics of service users across a range of in-patient rehabilitation settings: community, long-term complex care and high-dependency rehabilitation.ResultsSignificant differences were found for service users in the different units with respect to duration of stay, length of history, number of admissions, community team, physical health, social functioning, history of aggression and perceived risk if discharged.Clinical implicationsCommunity service provision may not adequately meet the needs of the most disabled and access to appropriate move-on facilities for rehabilitation in-patients is insufficient. Remedying this requires collaboration between policy makers, commissioners and clinicians to ensure access to a comprehensive range of services.