Action for Children conference tackles adverse children experiences

Action for Children has held a conference in North Wales (Thursday 6th April) to highlight the effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) in light of recent Public Health Wales (PHW) studies. PHW research showed the long term impact of bad experiences in a child’s crucial early years can mean more chronic illness and more pressure on frontline services further down the line.

The conference at the Kinmel Manor Hotel in Abergele gave over 100 delegates the opportunity to hear keynote speakers including Janine Roderick, Policy Lead for Public Health and Policing and J Anne Daniels. PHW also presented their latest ACEs findings and interviews with young people sharing their real life experiences was also shown to the audience. A series of workshops designed to enhance outcomes and improve services in this key area, including the official launch of the Skills for Living initiative, concluded the day.

Brigitte Gater, director of children’s services for Action for Children in Wales, said: ‘The conference focussed on how we can help children and young people to be resilient in the face of adverse child hood trauma. Most of our services in Action for Children work with children, young people and adults who have experienced childhood trauma and we recognise the provocative behaviours commonly seen in children and young people with attachment problems and how they can seek out negative and dangerous situations.

‘These behaviours, provide relief from the unbearable, escalating anxiety associated with trauma and until this is recognised, respected and addressed services will continue to fail to meet the needs of children and the cycles of deprivation and harm will continue. We had excellent addresses from Janine Roderick and Jo Anne Daniels that underlined the importance of the ACEs agenda at the highest level in Wales.’

For further media information please contact Alastair Love, media officer at Action for Children, on 02920 347068 / 07718 244 297 / alastair.love@actionforchildren.org.uk

Out–of–hours enquiries should be directed to the duty press officer on 07802 806679/ media.team@actionforchildren.org.uk