Adverse childhood experiences & attachment & looked-after children
A resilient child will have had experience of a consistent, positive parent or carer. They will feel worthwhile,safe and capable. Many children do not.
This may be as a result of early adverse life experiences (ACEs, including ‘early trauma’), particularly between the ages of 0-3. These ACEs are common in looked-after and adopted children, but also in many other children.
This affects their relationships, behaviour and mental health. Around 50% of the population experience and ACE, and 12% of the population experience four or more. Many of these are young people who are living in foster care, also known as ‘looked-after’, as well as those who move on to an adopted family.
An informed teacher, tutor or mentor can make a big difference to a young person; and even a little knowledge of ACEs and Attachment will help you to improve their ability to learn and succeed.
Practical advice
- Introduction to attachment and learning - BANES council
- What survival looks like in school – freeze, flight, fight, submit – Inner World Work
- Action on ACEs Gloucestershire - information, toolkits, resources
Blog
- ACEs and music, Children’s Music Network
Video
- Adverse childhood experiences [5 mins] – Blackburn with Darwen Council
- You probably think you know me – why attachment matters [1 min] – National College for Teaching & Leadership
- Resilience the biology of stress and the science of hope - trailer [2 mins] (watch out for local screenings of the full film)
Further reading
- Introduction to adverse childhood experiences – Public Health England
- Adverse childhood experiences & attachment (includes video) – West Sussex local offer
See also the Behavioural and emotional difficulties and mental health section