What is social exclusion?

Social exclusion means being unable to access the things in life that most of society takes for granted.

It’s not just about having enough money‚ although a decent income is essential.

It is a build-up of problems across several aspects of people’s lives. Focusing on social inclusion means emphasising things like access to services‚ good social networks‚ decent housing‚ adequate information and support‚ and the ability to exercise basic rights.

Definition

The Government’s current definition of social exclusion is:

‘Social Exclusion is a complex and multi-dimensional process. It involves the lack or denial of resources‚ rights‚ goods and services‚ and the inability to participate in the normal relationships and activities available to the majority of people in society‚ whether in economic‚ social‚ cultural or political arenas. It affects both the quality of life of individuals and the equity and cohesion of society as a whole.’

Key factors

We believe the key factors contributing to social inclusion are:

adequate income
good mental and physical health
low risk of crime and low fear of crime‚ good quality neighbourhood
provision of appropriate care
mobility and access to transport
good social networks
good access to suitable local services
opportunities for civic participation and cultural activities
use of basic financial services
employment‚ learning and skills opportunities
opportunities to use digital technology
suitable‚ well-maintained housing
suitable information‚ advice‚ advocacy and redress
use of common consumer goods

Key facts

There is no single estimate of how many older people face social exclusion. This is because there are different ways of defining and measuring the factors that contribute to exclusion.

In 2006 the Social Exclusion Unit published an academic estimate of the number of excluded older people. This work concluded that:

1.2 million people over 50 in England (ie 7%) face severe‚ multiple exclusion;
around half of people over 50 suffer disadvantage with respect to one aspect of their life;
1.3 million people over 65 have clinical depression;
2.2 million households with a member over 60 live in unfit housing;
2.5 million people over 50 have little social or family contact;
3.4 million people over 50 live in relative poverty.

Other sources of data on social exclusion are:

The Social exclusion of older people: evidence from the first wave of the English Longitudinal Survey of Ageing‚ ODPM‚ 2006.
Improving services and support for older people with mental health problems‚ Age Concern England‚ 2007.
Age Agenda 2008‚ Age Concern England‚ 2008.
Households Below Average Income 1994/95-2005/06‚ Department for Work and Pensions‚ 2007.
Out of sight‚ out of mind: social exclusion behind closed doors. Age Concern England 2008.
Older people in the United Kingdom: key facts and statistics 2008. Age Concern England 2008.

To read more about our position on social inclusion‚ download the Social Inclusion and Communities chapter of our Age Agenda Report 2008 from the link below.