Highland councillors last week noted the extensive work being led by the local authority’s care and learning service and the significant contribution this makes in becoming an ACE-Aware Council.
With more steps being made nationally and locally to understand the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), Highland Council says it is continuing to improve services and decision-making surrounding adversity and trauma in childhood and the impact it can have on mental and physical health in later life. Research demonstrates childhood adversity and trauma has long and short term eThects on learning, education, behaviour, mental health, socio-economic status and nearly all important outcomes in childhood and throughout life.
Adversity and trauma tends to have a longer and deeper impact the earlier it is experienced in life. Research also suggests there are other apparently ‘critical’ periods in a person’s development that can be strongly aThected, such as early adolescence. However, if dealt with early on, the impact of trauma and adversity can be reduced or even eliminated.