The Future of Adverse Childhood Experiences – ACE’s

Venue: Online

Date: 16 Mar 2023

Synopsis: Reflections on approaches to prevent the harmful effects of ACEs, heal trauma, deal with distress, and promote resilience

Details:

This masterclass will review developments in the field of ACEs since it’s introduction by Fellitti in 2000. A focus on understanding the range and life span impact of adversity in childhood has been transformative in the field of mental and physical health. However current developments which demonstrate that the ACEs score – a risk index - although associated with harmful outcomes at a population level, does not predict outcomes for the individual. This has raised questions about the value of the ACEs concept, and its future usefulness in practice, particularly as a screening tool, in child and adult practice. This course will reflect on the current position, and future directions, and make recommendations about prevention, approaches to heal the traumatic responses associated with ACEs, deal with the every -day stress associated, and promote resilience. 

The association between Adverse Childhood Experiences – forms of maltreatment and stressors -and life span physical and mental health has captured the imagination of the scientific community. The association has been explored across multiple fields, and the findings will be reviewed in child protection, child mental and physical health, offending behaviour and neurobiological understanding of long -term harmful impacts. The growth of ACEs from the original 10 to over 40 will be discussed, and the role of risk associated with the pandemic, war, conflict and migration, racism, deprivation, community, violence, exploitation and climate change will be reviewed. Strengths and limitations of ACEs will be explored, the failure to predict harm at an individual level, and the failure to consider protective and mitigating factors alongside risk in practice. The development of trauma- informed practice has been a positive response, but the evidence of effectiveness is limited. There are questions about ACEs as a concept and a shift in focus to a broader concept of adversity. We will review the current position and consider the future of ACEs. 

The masterclass includes a printed copy of the HfCF Guide 'Working with children and young people addressing emotional and traumatic responses’

URL:
https://www.educationconferencesuk.co.uk/conferences-masterclasses/the-future-of-adverse-childhood-experiences-ace-s

Contact:
katharine@hc-uk.org.uk