Nursery World - More evidence needed on adverse childhood experiences approach

A charity has warned that using the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) framework is ‘no quick fix’ for identifying and supporting children at risk from the effects of abuse and neglect – and those using the framework may be overlooking vulnerable children.

Having had a family member in prison is one of the 10 'adverse childhood experiences' (ACEs)

Within its new report, the Early Intervention Foundation (EIF) says public services may be taking ‘significant risks’ by being overly focused on the ten ACEs.

The ACEs framework is a set of ten traumatic childhood circumstances (see box) which are consistently shown to increase the risk of mental health problems, chronic diseases and involvement in crime later in life.

An American study of the framework found that those who reported four or more ACEs had an increased risk of poorer longer-term health and social outcomes.

While the EIF acknowledges that ACEs have been useful for raising awareness and galvanising action, it says there is a risk of ‘oversimplification’ and finds that there are major gaps in the evidence on how to identify and support the most vulnerable children.

Its report, Adverse childhood experiences: What we know, what we don’t know, and what should happen next, finds that many other adversities in childhood, beyond the ten ACEs, also increase the risk of serious adult problems. They include:

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