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"The primary aim of this research project was to explore how best to address the training needs of those involved in social inclusion projects in sport. This was achieved by:
- investigating the training / learning opportunities used in other sectors (largely desk research)
- researching the approach to work and training needs of people working in sport (discussion groups and telephone interviews with sports development officers and more senior staff in urban and rural local authorities)
Tackling social exclusion is both a local and national challenge. The government has shown its commitment through its Social Exclusion Unit and Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy and many local authorities have followed suit by producing their own Social Inclusion strategies..
However, interpretation of the concept is varied and as a direct result of this locally based policy and practice responses vary too.
It is for this reason that it is important to examine different people's interpretations.
The government's says:
Social exclusion is a shorthand term for what can happen when people or areas suffer from a combination of linked problems such as unemployment, poor skills, low incomes, poor housing, high crime, bad health and family breakdown'.
'In the past governments have had policies that tried to deal with each of these problems individually, but there has been little success at tackling the complicated links between them or preventing them from arising in the first place'. (Cabinet Office, Social Exclusion Unit leaflet, July 2000)
There has been much debate around the links between poverty, disadvantage and social exclusion.
Social exclusion is defined in a way that includes a number of characteristics, which are not usually referred to in definitions of disadvantage and poverty:
This means people may be poor without being socially excluded and vice versa.
The use of this concept then encourages policy responses 'which seek to change institutions and institutional processes rather than solely seeking to change socially excluded individuals, groups and communities' Percy Smith
The difference with inequality is that social exclusion is 'about mechanisms that act to detach groups of people from the social mainstream' Giddens
The implication of this, is that the person working in this field (paid or voluntary), must understand the dynamics of the process (i.e. what factors, institutions and circumstances are producing exclusion?) (Goodlad 2000).
Many are frustrated by such a definition and its failure to list the groups who are socially excluded. However, this results from a misunderstanding of the concept. (The government's social exclusion unit has however focussed on the problems of school exclusions, homelessness and the worst estates) (Social Exclusion Unit 2000).
The government has also talked about social exclusion in terms of a lack of social capital. Social capital being; the existence of community networks, civic engagement or participation in community networks and a sense of community identity, solidarity and equality with other community members.
The role of sport in achieving the government's social inclusion agenda is summarised in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport's (DCMS) PAT 10 Report (1999). The aim of the report was to 'draw up an action plan with targets to maximise the impact of arts, sport and leisure policies in contributing to neighbourhood regeneration and increasing local participation' (PAT 10)
The report identified the role of sport and also the problems which in the past have led to the failure of this role to be fully realised.
The report concluded the importance of local authorities adopting a community development approach to sports development
'the principles of the community development approach…should underpin and build on the ways in which local authority culture / leisure strategies and services are developed and provided.' (PAT 10)
The report listed these principles as:
- Valuing diversity:
- Embedding local control:
- Supporting local commitment:
- Promoting equitable partnerships:
- Defining common objectives in relation to actual needs:
- Working flexibly with change:
- Securing sustainability:
- Pursuing quality across the spectrum:
- Connecting with mainstream: (PAT 10) "
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