Adverse Childhood Experiences Training Course

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) affect many children and families, often with long-lasting consequences for health, relationships, and overall wellbeing. By understanding ACEs, we can take steps to reduce their impact and provide supportive environments tailored to meet the needs of those affected.

This course helps you explore ACEs in depth, understand their effects, and develop practical skills to make a difference. It’s built on evidence-based practices, includes relatable examples, and provides guidance on promoting resilience and supporting children, families, and communities.

Whether you’re expanding your knowledge in the social care sector or seeking skills to support children and families in your role, this course equips you to act with confidence and compassion.

Why Take This Course?

Adverse Childhood Experiences can influence every aspect of someone’s life. Research shows a strong connection between ACEs and future outcomes, like physical health problems, mental health challenges, and negative social behaviours. But with the right knowledge and approach, you can help interrupt the cycle and contribute to positive change.

Here’s why this course could benefit you:

• Help children and families where it matters most: Learn about the effects of ACEs on children’s development and how to support people facing challenges, both immediately and in the long-term.
• Strengthen your role in social care: Do you want to feel more prepared to recognise and respond to the effects of trauma? This course will build your confidence to take the right steps, ensuring people who use services feel seen, heard, and supported.
• Use trauma-informed practices: Discover practical tools and strategies to make your practice sensitive to the needs of people affected by ACEs.
• Understand resilience and protective factors: Get practical advice about reducing the long-term impacts of ACEs and strengthening protective relationships for children and families.

ACEs are a pressing issue, but by educating yourself, you can make a lasting difference. This course provides you with practical solutions grounded in UK frameworks, so you’re equipped to take action in line with best practices.

Learning Outcomes

By the time you complete this course, you’ll have a deeper understanding of ACEs and how to address them. Specifically, you will:

• Learn what Adverse Childhood Experiences are and the ten broad categories they fall into.
• Understand the physical, emotional, and social effects of ACEs across a child’s development.
• Gain insight into the ‘fight, flight, or freeze’ stress response and the effects of toxic stress on the brain.
• Recognise the role of secure and positive attachment in promoting resilience in children.
• Learn actionable strategies to support children, families, and communities experiencing the effects of ACEs.
• Understand how trauma-informed practices create safer, welcoming environments for people who use services and staff alike.
• Identify ways to reduce the likelihood of ACEs through prevention and early intervention.
• Explore UK laws, ethical responsibilities, and practical considerations when supporting people impacted by ACEs.

This knowledge is designed to improve your ability to help people who have experienced trauma, with a focus on compassion, practicality, and resilience-building approaches.

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Awareness Course Content Outline

Module 1: Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
Learners will be introduced to the definition of ACEs, the ten most common categories (abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction), and how these experiences can affect a child’s physical, emotional, and social development.

Module 2: The Impact of Trauma and Stress
This module explores the body’s ‘fight, flight or freeze’ response, the concept of toxic stress, and its effects on brain development. Learners will also examine the long-term health and behavioural impacts associated with ACEs.

Module 3: Attachment and Relationships
Learners will understand secure and insecure attachment styles and how relationships can mitigate the effects of ACEs. The importance of positive, stable relationships in building resilience is emphasised.

Module 4: Resilience and Protective Factors
This module highlights the role of resilience in overcoming ACEs, identifies key protective factors, and explains how care workers can actively promote resilience in children and families.

Module 5: Supporting Children and Families Affected by ACEs
Learners will explore the role of professionals in recognising and responding to ACEs. They will review practical strategies to support affected children and families, the importance of trauma-informed practices, and the signs and symptoms of trauma in children.

Module 6: Prevention and Early Intervention
This module covers approaches to preventing ACEs at family and community levels, the benefits of early intervention, and services available to support children, families, and individuals who have experienced ACEs.

Module 7: Ethical and Legal Considerations
Learners will gain an understanding of their ethical and legal responsibilities when working with individuals affected by ACEs. Confidentiality, safeguarding obligations, and the importance of sensitive practice are central to this module.

Module 8: Statistical Evidence and Long-Term Outcomes
The final module examines statistical evidence on the prevalence of ACEs in the UK and reviews the potential long-term outcomes, including impacts on mental health, physical health, and substance misuse.

Target Audience

This course is for anyone working in or hoping to join the social care sector. It’s designed for carers, support workers, healthcare assistants, and other social care professionals who want to improve their ability to recognise and respond to ACEs.

You’ll also benefit if you:

• Work in schools or educational settings alongside children and young people.
• Are part of family support or community outreach teams.
• Are a manager or supervisor seeking to embed trauma-informed practices into your organisation.
• Have a general interest in ACEs and how to improve long-term outcomes for children and families.

Whether you’re a seasoned professional or new to the field, this course helps you grow your confidence and knowledge in tackling a complex but vital topic.

This course equips you with the skills and understanding to approach ACEs with empathy and practical solutions. Start today and make a meaningful impact in the lives of the children and families you support