Facilitating Social Inclusion: The Case for Employment, Education and Training for Marginalised Young People and Women Escaping Domestic Violence
For both marginalised young people and women escaping domestic violence, social exclusion, poverty and imminent or realised risks of homeless and further exploitation and abuse are frequent occurrences. Indeed, these groups are often conceptualised as being trapped in cycles of poverty, social isolation/exclusion and homelessness. Moreover, these factors further exacerbate the vulnerability of these groups to continued abuse, exploitation and magnified marginalisation. Social work approaches or responses in these fields have thus far tended to focus on the provision of services such as short to medium term accommodation, counselling or therapeutic interventions, and support to obtain social security payments. This presentation shall seek to integrate into these dominant social work practices an additional approach that recognises the value of education and employment. Herein, we will demonstrate the way that social workers may promote social inclusion and challenge the subjugation of these groups through education, training and employment. We will recognise and promote continued activism and advocacy for a fair, supportive and responsive welfare state and the provision of quality social services as a necessity especially in periods of crisis. Nevertheless, we will argue that social workers may best challenge the entrenched poverty and social exclusion experienced by these groups through facilitating skilled and quality employment and the education/training that may assist in this. This will be demonstrated by exploring recent research and practice experiences undertaken by the presenters with the two separate groups with a particular focus on effective social work practice in these areas.