A huge percentage of the world population, especially those living in third world countries are still unable to cater for their basic needs adequately due to socio-economic challenges. The most affected communities are characterized by high rate of unemployment, lack of access to proper healthcare, low level of education, domestic violence, child abuse, disabilities and substance abuse. Under such circumstances, many people fail to fit into the society and are fully or partially shut out from the social, economic or political systems (Walker, 1997).
Identifying the poor, the disadvantaged and those with special needs has been the major role of most responsive groups and innovative projects which seek to offer social care and enhance community development. Groups and initiatives that approach families without being intrusive, and address their needs through non-stigmatizing methods have proved quite supportive and beneficial. Exclusion manifests in different dimensions. Individuals or groups suffer from one or more forms of exclusion ranging from low income, low wealth, poor health, lack of production activity to social isolation and political disengagement (Dowling,1999).
Different organizations strive to alleviate poverty and contain social exclusion by implementing income generating projects within the communities, offering advocacy services,counseling,caring for the old and the disabled, giving opportunities to the children and the youth, supporting victims of domestic violence and drug addicts among others (NHS,2009). The table below is an extract from the NHS Information centre showing the number of people who sought community based care services in the year 2007/2008.