On Friday 16th February 2018, Community Justice Ayrshire are hosting a pan Ayrshire, multi-disciplinary, conference based on Adverse Childhood Experiences.
The event will look to achieve an element of awareness raising for ACEs, making sure everyone has an understanding of what it is we are trying to achieve, a section of brain development and how this impacts on life outcomes.
The second element will be to look at the local response to ACEs and sharing best practice between the various organisations. Looking at what is happening both locally and nationally and beyond, and how we can move forward.
The final element will be based around next steps, developing a plan to take things forward either collectively or individually.
What are Adverse Childhood Experiences?
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are stressful events occurring in childhood including
- domestic violence
- parental abandonment through separation or divorce
- a parent with a mental health condition
- being the victim of abuse (physical, sexual and/or emotional)
- being the victim of neglect (physical and emotional)
- a member of the household being in prison
- growing up in a household in which there are adults experiencing alcohol and drug use problems.
The term was originally developed in the US for the Adverse Childhood Experiences Study which found that as the number of ACEs increased, so did the risk of experiencing a range of health conditions in adulthood. There have been numerous other studies which have found similar findings including in Wales and England.
More information will be highlighted in due course, showcasing the speakers involved and the agenda for the conference.