‘Adverse Childhood Experiences’
‘Adverse Childhood Experiences’ (or ACEs) is an all-embracing term that refers to how traumatic experiences from childhood can negatively affect later life.* These are potentially traumatic events that may occur in childhood (0-17 years) such as experiencing violence, abuse, or neglect. Also included are aspects of the child’s environment that can undermine their sense of safety, stability, and bonding, - such as growing up in a household with substance misuse, mental health problems, or instability due to parental separation or imprisonment of a parent, sibling or other member of the household.
Traumatic events in childhood can be emotionally painful or distressing and can have effects that can persist for years. Factors such as the nature, frequency and seriousness of the traumatic event, prior history of trauma, and available family and community supports can shape a child’s response to trauma.
Children who experience stressful and challenging childhood experiences are more likely to experience later:
Difficulties in School
Mental illnesses
Physical illnesses
Drug and substance dependencies
Risk taking behaviours
Criminality
Shortened life span
The original ACEs study reported a strong relationship between the number of childhood adversities faced and this range of negative outcomes in adult life * (Fellitti et al 1998).
ACEs Online Learning Programme
This link directs you to a Home Office funded ‘Introduction to Adverse Childhood Experiences Early Trauma Online Learning’ Programme. It takes around 50 minutes to complete, and has been designed for practitioners, professionals and volunteers who work with children, young people and their families. A certificate is awarded upon successful completion of the Programme.
Practitioners are encouraged to complete this introductory Programme and then to build upon this knowledge with bespoke Reset-21 training Programmes.