Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Trauma

Reducing the negative impact of ACEs

We know that adverse experiences can potentially impact children's long-term health and life outcomes. It’s crucial for children and young people to get the right help at the right time as this mitigates the negative impacts of adversity and trauma and reduces the likelihood of long-term negative consequences into adulthood. 

As part of the Getting it right for every child (GIRFEC) approach, we are working to support negatively affected children and young people.

Some examples of the types of action we are taking include:

• helping to keep children safe from abuse and neglect through the Child Protection Improvement Programme
• developing a Bairns' Hoose - or Children's House - approach to ensure that children who experience severe trauma receive the support and recovery services they need
• supporting children affected by parental substance misuse
• helping children affected by parental imprisonment by extending support for the families of prisoners
• focusing on achieving equity in education through the Scottish Attainment Challenge and Pupil Equity Funds
• investing in school counselling services
• implementing the Ending Homelessness Together Action Plan to benefit young care leavers and children living in temporary accommodation