The reduction of problem behaviours and school exclusion in at-risk youth: an experimental study of school social work with cost–benefit analyses

A three-year experimental programme of school social work involving 2.5 workers was introduced into a primary school and a linked secondary school serving deprived council estates with high rates of unemployment, poverty and crime and high rates of exclusions from school. In comparison with two similar schools which acted as controls, the experiment was reflected in a stat-istically significant reduction in rates of self-reported theft, truancy, bullying, hard-drug use and net exclusions. Analysis of reduction in school exclusions showed that the experiment was highly cost-effective. Qualitative evaluations supported findings from stat-istical comparisons, suggesting that school social work can be effective in both preventing children coming into care and im-proving school climate and teacher morale.