Social Exclusion and Integrated Family and Children’s Services

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In this assignment a critical evaluation on the impact of social exclusion shall be implemented with overviews of both historical and current social policy. As a main point of focus, social exclusion shall be discussed in relation to victims of domestic abuse; from a children’s centre perspective. Discussion on how integrated services can reduce the impact of social exclusion shall also be examined, along with the barriers that might also prevent them. The term social exclusion is widely contested (Parkin, 1979) as the term itself has no definitive definition. It is suggested the term social exclusion is used to refer to the term poverty or inequality (Levitas, 1996) as it has become the more fashionable terminology (Blakemore and Griggs, 2007). However it could be argued that an evidential shift has occurred as definitions of social exclusion no longer centre on poverty. Debatably there exists a wide acceptance that social exclusion is multi dimensional and prevents people from actively engaging within their community. This is evident by the Commission of the European Communities (1993, in Percy-Smith, 2000 p.3) stating “social exclusion refers to the multiple and changing factors resulting in people being excluded from the normal exchanges, practices and rights of modern society”. The Social Exclusion Unit (SEU)(2001) reinforce this by defining social exclusion as more than just poverty, stating it is a broader concept encompassing wider causes and consequences of deprivation. As a result social exclusion is likely to happen when people or areas suffer a combination of problems such as unemployment, poor skills, low incomes, poor housing, high crime, bad health and family breakdown (SEU, 2001). Although social exclusion can... ... middle of paper ... ... (2008) Changing children’s services: working and learning together. Bristol: The policy Press. Teather, S. (2010) Focus on families - new drive to help troubled families [online]. London: DFE publications. [accessed 28 Nov 2011]. Available at . Trevithick, P. (2000) Social work skills: a practice handbook [online]. Buckingham: Open University press. [Accessed 1 Dec 2011]. Available at: . Williams, F. (2008) Empowering parents. In Anning, A. And Ball, M. (ed.) Improving services for young children: From Sure Start to children centres. London: Sage pp. 62-78. Women’s Aid. (2006) Why doesn’t she leave? [online]. [Accessed 29 Nov 2011]. Available at: . Women’s Aid. (2007) What is domestic violence? [online] [Accessed 29 Nov 2011]. Available at: .

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