Preventing and Tackling Adverse Childhood Experiences: Initial Summary Report

Helping to break the cycle of harm

In September 2022, the Foundation embarked on a five-year strategy to help prevent and tackle the consequences of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), following a year-long pilot. Development of the strategy was prompted by a growing body of evidence on the long-term implications of ACEs, and the prevalence of childhood trauma across the work of Foundation grantees.

Stacey Lamb, Head of Charity Grants says:

“In this first report, we reflect on the work and impact of the organisations supported in 2022/23. As well as celebrating the meaningful difference they have made in the lives of the individuals and families they support, the report also considers the challenges of working to tackle ACEs and the difficulties of measuring preventative efforts and driving systemic change.

The Foundation continues to explore how to best support this area of life changing work. We are grateful for the time and relationships we have established with our charity partners, who are generously steering us through this journey.”

Key learnings of the report

• To help prevent and tackle the consequences of ACEs, a range of tailored services are necessary. In the first year, the approaches applied by our charity partners spanned counselling, wrap around support, mentoring, housing provision and creative arts.
• Due to the potential life-long impact of ACEs and the range of ways that this may present, there is no one ‘type’ of organisation that can be considered ‘ACEs focused’. An organisation’s ability to help prevent and tackle ACEs can be better identified by considering the experience and challenges of the people they support.
• Organisations providing ACEs focused support are essential services, and although independent, they are often intertwined with NHS and statutory provision in their local communities.
• Whilst prevention and early intervention must be a priority, many people do not disclose or begin to recognise the impact of ACEs until adulthood. It is imperative that support is available to adults affected by ACEs, as well as services tailored to children and young people.
• Where parents themselves have experienced ACEs, there is a risk of a generational cycle of harm. To break this cycle, prenatal and/ or a whole family approach can help support a nurturing and stable environment, in which an infant can thrive.
• All charities funded through the programme told us that the demand and complexity of issues they are asked to support, continues to increase. Whilst this results in waiting lists and the need to adapt services, it also takes a significant toll on staff wellbeing and resources.