Other lives: Young people on the margins of school exclusion

Johnston, Craig

Abstract

This paper draws on a qualitative data analysis of the experiences of a small group of so-called ‘hard-to-reach’ disabled young men in Alternative Provisions (APs). Supporting young people has largely focused on the use of professional interventions. We contrast the young men’s experiences of professional service interventions with the complementary functions of social and psychological capital embedded in their own friendship networks. The young men rarely used the professional support offered, often finding professional practices and institutional systems unhelpful. This contrasted with the support gained in their own friendship networks which offered opportunities for enhancing well-being and agency. There are implications here for how young people facing risks associated with school exclusion and marginalisation can best be supported. We suggest that young people themselves are important agents in providing mutuality and solidarity, which can enhance various and varied life-course transitions.

• Presentation Conference Type: Conference Abstract
• Conference Name: British Society of Criminology Conference 2024
• Start Date: Jul 10, 2024
• End Date: Jul 12, 2024
• Acceptance Date: May 1, 2024
• Deposit Date: Oct 3, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 3, 2024
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/13261987