Are the rights of children and young people to reach their potential severely compromised by school exclusion?

A review of the literature revealed that the overarching risk to children and young people around the time of expulsion from school was social exclusion. Factors such as gender, antisocial behaviour, crime, drug taking and suicide were also identified as risks. The effects of the increased use of short-term and in-house exclusions, and poor parental control, also emerged within this area. In considering application to practice, the specialist community public health nurse (SCPHN) needs to work as part of a multidisciplinary team offering targeted support to those most vulnerable, together with preventive work via the Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) curriculum.