Children and young people and rural poverty and social exclusion: A review of evidence

The purpose of this review is to inform the ongoing, place-based work of Children's Neighbourhoods Scotland in rural settings and wider policy developments within Scottish education.

The review explores the following question: How are poverty and social exclusion experienced by children and young people in rural areas?

Using a critical review methodology, the report analyses and synthesises the findings of previous research in four sections, relating to:

• characterising poverty and social exclusion as experienced by rural children and young people;
• the distinct challenges of growing up in a rural setting;
• health and wellbeing of rural children and young people; and
• the factors that affect the agency of rural children and young people.

The review concludes with a conceptual framework for improving outcomes for children and young people in rural Scotland.