A Framework for Social Inclusion

1. A Framework for Social Inclusion Presented by Deborah Davys and Ellen Tickle

2. Learning outcomes • Clarify what constitutes socially valued within our society and why some people are at risk of social exclusion – Social role valorisation (Wolfensberger) • Assess current service provision against the framework of the five service accomplishments (O’Brien and Tyne) • Develop an action plan to enhance social inclusion within individual services

3. Outline of session • What is meant by social inclusion • What is the five point framework, review of the services the group participants work within and application of framework • What can be done to support social inclusion at micro and macro level

4. Social exclusion • Social exclusion happens when people or places suffer from a series of problems such as unemployment, discrimination, poor skills, low incomes, poor housing, high crime, ill health and family breakdown. When such problems combine they can create a vicious cycle. • Social exclusion can happen as a result of problems that face one person in their life. But it can also start from birth. Being born into poverty or to parents with low skills still has a major influence on future life chances. (http://www.socialexclusion.gov.uk)

5. What is social inclusion? • Concept need to be defined in terms of what social exclusion is • Societal expectations which include: - behaviour - values - money - education - habits/roles/routines - possessions

6. Social inclusion • Is concerned with the promotion of full participation in all aspects of community life, and especially those who are currently, or at risk of, marginalisation • Citizenship is significantly linked with social inclusion and incorporates issues of status, rights and duties

7. Consider… • Physical integration • Social integration • Need for physical integration to develop social integration • Link between social integration and social inclusion

8. Five service accomplishments • Community presence • Choice • Competence • Respect • Community participation (O’Brien and Tyne)

9. Exercise • Consider your service in the light of this framework – is the service supporting social inclusion on all counts? • If your answer is yes, how is the service supporting inclusion? • If your answer is no, what are the areas that are discouraging social inclusion? • Using the framework, can you devise an action plan for you / your service that will support service users towards social inclusion? • Feedback

10. Other changes required: • Empowerment – service users seeing themselves as having skills and abilities and becoming active participants in user groups and developing policies and procedures • People having valued social roles • Being able to access local services that facilitate inclusion and independence • National policy and legislation • Education of society at large • Inter agency cooperation and collaboration

11. References • Atherton,A. (2003) A History of Learning Disabilities in Gates,B.(Ed) Learning Disabilities, Toward Inclusion.London: Churchill Livingstone, pp41-61. • O’Brien, J. and Tyne, A. (1981) The principle of normalisation: A foundation for effective services. London: CMH • Social Exclusion Unit - http://www.socialexclusion.gov.uk