Social inclusion is a priority issue for many regions. This has been reflected in the regeneration agendas of Government Offices, Regional Development Agencies, through the Single Regeneration Budget, New Deal for Communities and other initiatives.
More information on the national picture
Social exclusion is a consequence of what happens when people do not get a fair deal throughout their lives, and this is often linked to the disadvantage they face at birth. Poverty and social exclusion can pass from one generation to the next. For example, experiencing poverty in childhood and having parents who did not gain qualifications at school or college are powerful influences on a child’s life, often affecting their chances as they get older.
The Government has put in place a wide range of policies to tackle the key economic causes of social exclusion. Many of these initiatives are taken forward through the work of the Government Office, which includes:
- expanding nursery education and childcare services
- Connexions (a service which aims to guide people through their teenage years)
- improving literacy and numeracy skills
- reducing crime and the fear of crime
- improving housing conditions
- addressing health inequalities
- improving access to services and also the services themselves
This all contributes to a reduction in social exclusion.
We also have in place an internal Social Inclusion Reference Group which meets regularly to ensure that all parts of the organisation are aware of the work we do. This ensures that our colleagues are able to complement and support social inclusion initiatives so that there is maximum impact in the work we take forward.
