Social Exclusion and Family Support Work in a Deprived Area in the UK

Impact of social exclusion on families and children

Assignment Title: You are a family support worker, working in a Children’s Centre situated in a deprived area in the UK. You have recently been assigned a new case, a family of 4 consisting of one parent and 3 children. They have been referred by 2 agencies, Health and Education, after the children have reportedly had repetitive visits to A&E and also an increasing number of school absences.

1. Provide a critically reflective account of how this particular family may be subject to forms of social exclusion using key theoretical perspectives.  

2. Analyse your role in supporting the family, moving forward.

You are required to draw on a range of theoretical and conceptual literature – included within the module as well as independently sourced by you to:

·You’ll need to show knowledge and understanding of how social issues, including social exclusion, impact on children, young people and families.

·You’ll need to consider the complexities around the role of the practitioner working with families at risk of social exclusion – ‘tease out’ some of the tensions/barriers that might exist on both sides, the practitioner’s and also the family’s.

·You’ll need to explore theories/concepts around; power, capital, deserving/undeserving, agency vs structure

·You’ll also offer a critical understanding of the role of Social Policy in the lives of those at risk of SE.

In order to achieve a pass grade (40%) you will need to:

·Provide a response to the assignment title – this is important and will help you to structure and focus your work

·Meet all 3 learning outcomes -

1. To critically analyse the role of the practitioner working with children, young people and families within the community.

2. To apply relevant theory to practical situations.

3. To explore and critically reflect on the impact of social issues, including social exclusion on children, young people and families.

·Apply the module’s theoretical frameworks/concepts (Bourdieu, Foucault, Murray) Application of at least two of these theoretical frameworks is recommended. Failure to apply is likely to result in a grade that does not meet the minimum requirements for a pass.

·Use the wealth of literature that has been supplied on this module, as well as other sources independently-researched on your part that demonstrate your breadth of reading and engagement with the module.

·Offer a critical discussion of the topic; that is, use a questioning approach – not by asking questions in your text but questioning what you have read/ seen/ heard and written yourself - and view the topic from a range of perspectives.

·Acknowledge and question the practitioner’s own values as a possible barrier.

·You’ll need to offer a short conclusion which states how this module may have impacted on the way you will work with ‘hard to reach’ groups, impacted on your own professionalism and possible ways forward when supporting those at risk of SE.