Psychological trauma and adversity including ACES (adverse childhood experiences)

Reducing the negative impact of psychological trauma and adversity

We know that psychological trauma and adversity can potentially impact our long-term health and life outcomes. It’s crucial for children, young people and adults to get the right help at the right time as this helps reduce the likelihood of long-term negative consequences.

As part of the Getting it right for every child (GIRFEC) approach, we are working to support children and young people impacted by psychological trauma and adversity.

Some examples of the types of action we are taking include:

• helping to keep children safe from abuse and neglect through the Child Protection Improvement Programme
• developing a Bairns' Hoose - or Children's House - approach to ensure that children who experience severe trauma receive the support and recovery services they need
• supporting children affected by parental substance misuse
• focusing on achieving equity in education through the Scottish Attainment Challenge and Pupil Equity Funding
• investing in school counselling services
• implementing the Ending Homelessness Together Action Plan to benefit young care leavers and children living in temporary accommodation
• promoting fairer and more inclusive workplaces through the Fair Work Action Plan and National Strategy for Economic Transformation
• developing trauma responsive social work services