Introduction to Social Inclusion

Social Inclusion - Definition

Social inclusion is a term that can be used to describe a series of positive actions to achieve equality of access to goods and services, to assist all individuals to participate in community and society, to encourage the contribution of all persons to social and cultural life and to be aware of and to challenge all forms of discrimination. By ensuring that the marginalised and those living in poverty have greater participation in decision-making which affects their lives, will allow them to improve their standard of living and overall well-being.

Social Exclusion - Definition

The process whereby certain groups are pushed to the margins of society and prevented from participating fully by virtue of their poverty, low education or inadequate lifeskills. This distances them from job, income and education opportunities as well as social and community networks. They have little access to power and decision-making bodies and little chance of influencing decisions or policies that affect them, or of bettering their standard of living.

What are the factors of social exclusion?

• Lack of money or other resources
• Discrimination against particular groups or categories of people
• "Physical" barriers such as a lack of transport or the absence of services/facilities in an area
• Lack of confidence to participate in society
• Lack of skills/qualifications which may be needed for social and economic participation

Who are the Socially Excluded?

The Socially excluded include:

• Asylum seekers and refugees
• Early school leavers
• Older people living alone
• Homeless persons
• People with a disability
• Single parents
• Travellers
• Unemployed persons, especially the long term unemployed
• Marginalised men
• Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/Transgender

What Roscommon County Council is already doing to combat Social Exclusion:-

Role of the Social Inclusion Unit (SIU)

• To develop and oversee the implementation and evaluation of a social inclusion strategy for Roscommon County Council.
• To consult with Roscommon County Council's Departments and County Development Board members to agree a prioritised list of research projects over a three year period.
• To assist Roscommon County Council to incorporate social inclusion objectives and follow through actions in the corporate planning processes.
• To support the provision of enhanced customer services, particularly for disadvantaged communities and people with disabilities.
• Update existing poverty profile.
• Assess the impact of Roscommon County Council's current activities relevant to social inclusion.
• To promote awareness of social inclusion through staff training and provision of relevant information.
• To develop an information and communication strategy.
• Identify new and innovative opportunities in tackling social exclusion, including people with disabilities.
• To ensure a co-ordinated approach to social inclusion in the county by co-operating with other agencies involved in this work.

The work of the Social Inclusion Unit will be based on the work already done by the Local Anti-Poverty Learning Network. By establishing this Social Inclusion Unit we hope that the services Roscommon County Council deliver to the Community will ensure that no individual within County Roscommon will be excluded from accessing our services.