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The concept of marginality is increasingly used in the field of social policy, albeit often without a great deal of further clarification. It is argued here that the anti-egalitarian tendencies which underpin the welfare ideology of the New Right inevitably lead to an amplification of feelings of stigmatisa tion and exclusion as particular groups become detached from mainstream consumer society. Some of the theoretical dimensions of marginality are outlined, and are examined in the context of recent policy developments which affect one particular social group, namely young people. The publicly stated claims for work experience schemes and board and lodg ings regulations are examined in relation to the evidence of their red ef fects. The evidence indicates that both policies have distinct marginalising tendencies. Finally, it is posited that unless a radical shift takes place in political ideology, the concept of marginalisation is likely to become a per manent fixture in the lexicon of academic social policy.

Since the late 1950s, successive British government's have embraced the philosophy of caring for dependent groups in the community in prefer ence to institutions. Yet through this period it has become commonplace for social policy analysts to deride the gap between political and profes sional rhetoric, and the lived experiences of the users of services and informal carers.The policy has become characterised as by the communority, and not care in the community (Walker, 1982). After much prevarication, the present govermment has provided a policy framework which purports to offer the prospect of a better deal for those who need care, and their carers. This paper axamines the adequacy of this policy framework, and argues that serious faiging exist withine it. Unwar ranted assumptions, contradictory policy aims, and substantial amissions characterise the most recent attempt to improve communty care policy. Based on this analysis, we argue that a radical; historically based, review of recent develppments of the mental health services is urgently required.