Children aged 0–13 at risk of social exclusion: Impact of government policy in England and Wales

Abstract

This paper is based on the findings of a major literature review undertaken for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister in 2003/4 [Buchanan, A., Bennett, F., Smith, T., Smith, G., Ritchie, C., & Harker, L. (2004). The Impact of Government Policy on Children and Families at Risk of Social Exclusion. London, Social Exclusion Unit. www.socialexclusion.gov.uk/page.asp?id=492]. The findings relate to a period from 1997 until May 2004. The paper is divided into five sections. The first section sets the UK policy context and discusses the concept of social exclusion and its meaning for children. The second section outlines the research methodology. The third section reports findings from five sections of the government review: living standards, early years' provision, education, health and support for vulnerable families (families at risk of more serious family problems). The final sections bring together ideas from the successes and failures of policies and the possible drivers for change that may be of interest to others.