ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) have increasingly become an area of concern. There is a growing body of evidence that adverse negative experiences in childhood can affect an individual’s health across the life-course and can lead to poorer outcomes in adult life. Adverse Childhood Experiences provides a lens to better understand how trauma can have negative, lasting effects on health and wellbeing.
ACEs range from physical, emotional or sexual abuse to parental divorce or the imprisonment of a parent or guardian. An increasing number of specialist researchers have tried to quantify the prevalence of ACEs and understand their connection to negative behavioural and health outcomes, such as the inclination to violence (as perpetrator or victim), addiction, obesity and suicidal tendencies and depression later in life.
The following list highlights the priorities for the work with ACEs in the coming year.
- Influence strategic policy and operational delivery via: National Healthy Child Programme, C & M 5yr NHS Health Care Partnership Plan, ADPH (ACEs settings based approach), Liverpool Health Partnership (Healthy Start).
- Build on the place-based work carried out in local areas by granting further funding to progress next steps in relation to ACEs/TIP.
- Extend the work with the police in the adoption of the principles of trauma-informed practice, through workforce training.
- Develop ACE awareness with other key sectors such as housing, schools & NHS in relation to workforce development via resources and training.
- Increase awareness of ACEs and ‘Trauma Informed’ Approaches for professionals and our community via the VRP website.
- We will consider, funding permitting, undertaking a Merseyside ACE prevalence survey to inform commissioning & targeting of interventions.
- We will add value and strengthen mental health pathways for young people & families via funding.
Photo by Nik Shuliahin - Unsplash