Colin Webster is Senior Lecturer in Criminology, Donald Simpson is a Researcher, Robert MacDonald is Professor of Sociology, Andrea Abbas, Mark Cieslik and Tracy Shildrick are Senior Lecturers in Sociology, and Mark Simpson is Principal Lecturer in Criminology. All work at the University of Teesside.

• Introduction: 'Miserable measures': a profile of deprived neighbourhoods; Social exclusion and extended youth transitions; Research aims; Research methodology; Change and continuity in the extended transitions of socially excluded young adults: The 'education, training and employment' sub-sample; The 'family' sub-sample; The 'criminal and/or drug-using' sub-sample; Broader experiences of extended transitions: The persistence of poverty; Leaving home and social housing; Leisure careers: making the most of 'staying in'; Social networks: strong bonds but weak bridges; 'Critical moments': the unpredictable consequences of bereavement and ill-health; Summary and conclusions: Continuity and change in extended transitions; Social exclusion, poverty and social networks; De-industrialisation and the intergenerational experience of family disadvantage; Learning from more successful transitions? Implications for policy: The causes and effects of social exclusion; Principles and practice for tackling social exclusion; Extended, holistic and 'joined-up' policy or 'employability'? Area re-generation, social integration and the redistribution of wealth; Policy conclusions.

"... this report powerfully highlighted the voices and experiences of those living with the causes and consequences of social exclusion. In highlighting related policy implications the authors resisted an easy 'wish list' of reforms, instead questioning the appropriateness of a single 'employability agenda'. I found this a helpful and insightful, if painful, read and I would recommend it to others." Sociological Research Online