Is social exclusion a useful concept in children’s services?

The concept of social exclusion offers helpful insights into child well-being and the shape of children's services but these could be exploited more fully, says Unit researcher Nick Axford in an article published in the new edition of the British Journal of Social Work.

He explores how far a focus on social exclusion changes the way in which services seek to define vulnerable children and help them. He considers seven emphases commonly associated with a social exclusion perspective. He concludes that many of the perceived benefits of the concept of social exclusion in terms of service orientation actually sit as well if not better within pre-existing frameworks based on poverty, risk and protective factors and need.
 
An early version of the article, 'Is social exclusion a useful concept in children's services?' will be available for download on our publications page. Follow this link to see the journal British Journal of Social Work. 
 
Reference: Axford, N. (2010) ‘Is social exclusion a useful concept in children’s services?’, British Journal of Social Work 40 (3), 737-754.