This essay will discuss social divisions; social exclusion and social inclusion, of which there are many definitions and interpretations. Social divisions and social exclusion have existed for many years. Social exclusion was first noted in France in the 1970s among people who were not covered by the social insurance system, such as disabled people, single parents and unemployed youth (Townsend and Kennedy , 2004). Before 1997, social exclusion was called “poverty”, meaning that people do not benefit from many of the opportunities available to the average person (Palmer; 2010). However, for the purposes of this assignment, the focus will be on homelessness as a social division, the relationship between exclusion and inclusion, and how this relates to social work practice. Each member of society is part of a social division. Thompson (2010) argues that social divisions are complex and people are not just part of one group, they are often part of other groups. For example, an asylum seeker may be linked to social divisions such as poverty, unemployment and homelessness. Asylum seekers can also be marginalized by language barriers. Supporting Thompson (2010), Armstrong (2006) stated that in 1997, 4.8 million adults suffered from five or more disadvantages due to exclusion. Social divisions are: class, race, disability, identity, gender and geography; they often pose problems for individuals, groups and communities. Every government that has come to power has attempted to eradicate poverty, poor health, poor communities, discrimination and prejudice against certain individuals and groups (Alcock, 2008). Social exclusion, which excludes people from society, can be categorized into people who are, ...... middle of paper ...... them (Dalrymple and Burke, 2006). As we have already mentioned, homeless people can have a number of disadvantages, including a language barrier. English may not be their first language. The social worker would therefore find it helpful to hire an interpreter, which shows that they appreciate their culture and are willing to help and support them. In conclusion, the role of a social worker is increasingly important when working with people who are socially excluded, due to multiple factors such as poverty, homelessness, race, mental health and sexual orientation. The essay showed how people are affected by the way the government supervises the country and how it encourages social workers to follow laws and policies. They must believe in social justice and understand social divisions, social exclusion and how this influences their practice and understanding. then how people's lives are impacted.