Pen Green Centre for children and their families

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

ACEs ….Adverse Childhood Experiences

A fabulous day was had at the ‘WATCh’ (What About the Children) conference on the 8th March, by Eddie and Colette – Researchers and Tutors from the Pen Green Centre for Children and their Families.

ACEs – sounds very positive, and I have to think each time about what the acronym means … something far less positive ‘Adverse Childhood Experiences’ and how these affect children’s development. It is something we have known about for years, the original ACEs study was undertaken in California in 1998, where the link between ACEs and Causes of Death in Adults were made. It seems only now, twenty years later, that the findings are being spoken about and thought about in the early years.  Controversially, Suzanne Zeedyk, research scientist, used this thinking to consider the ACEs Jon Venables and Robert Thompson experienced. They were the victims of adverse childhood experiences. They became killers. Perhaps with more understanding of their experiences, at the time they were happening, interventions could have been made, which could have prevented this tragedy.

The movement to share thinking about ACEs is growing, and with some high profile people speaking out perhaps change can happen.

‘Resilience – the biology of stress and the science of hope’, directed and produced by James Redford, is being screened all over Scotland currently. The aim is the make ‘Scotland the World’s 1st ACE-Aware Nation’. Screenings are beginning to be advertised across the rest of the UK too. This film will be screened at the Pen Green Centre on 18th April 4.30-6pm. This will also form part of the free attachment training currently on offer to schools and settings in Northamptonshire through Pen Green Teaching School. Oprah Winfrey has spoken out about ACEs and Nadine Burke-Harris, an American paediatrician, has the best TED talk. Please can we urge that you get behind this movement and support it.

On a positive note – I now understand why I had such a great experience when I went to my local Timpson’s shoe repair concession. The young man who served me was courteous, interested, humorous and helpful. I bought two different types of shoe polish – unheard of – I usually wipe over all colours of shoes / boots with one of those moist shoe sponges! Anyway, we heard about how Sir John Timpson only has two rules in his shops – ‘turn up looking the part’ and ‘put the money in the till’! The rest is down to those on the shop floor. Candidates are appointed, not on their ability to ‘cobble’ or cut keys, but on their personality and ability to engage with customers.  Worked for me … Also, taking into account ACEs, ten per cent of staff are employed straight from prison … makes you think! I’ll certainly be going back there.

Colette Tait