The origins of ACEs – and how to support children affected by them
About this event
ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) are a hot topic among practitioners as we increasingly draw on research about them to improve our work with children and young people.
The current interest in ACEs originates in a study conducted at an obesity clinic in the 1980s in partnership with the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.
The study demonstrated that that long-term health conditions, substance abuse and mental health issues can all be directly linked in people who have experienced ACEs.
This seminar will examine the background of ACEs and explore topics including:
- The background of ACEs and where the term came from
- The different categories of ACEs
- How to support the parents and carers of children and young people who have experienced ACEs
- Knowing the children and young people we work with so we can better support them.
Jan Montgomery is an experienced youth worker, specialising in working with young people. She is a qualified psychotherapist, play therapist and life coach.
Jan has worked in health and social care in various roles throughout her career. She is a qualified Play and Creative Arts Therapist, an Accredited Adult Psychotherapist and a qualified Coach. Jan has just completed a Certificate in Traumatic Stress with the Trauma Centre at Bessel van der Kolk’s Justice Resource Institute, Brookline, and is in the process of completing her EMDR qualification.
Jan worked with vulnerable and disadvantaged young people in the voluntary sector for almost a decade. This was where she developed her interest in working with attachment and trauma. Jan moved from this area to working in foster care to support children and carers of traumatised children. Today, Jan works with adults with mental health challenges which prevents them from moving into employment.
Jan has been delivering training for a number of years. She enjoys taking complex subjects and making them accessible to everyone. She believes that theories are important but understanding how they apply in practice is essential if we are to offer best practice to those who use our services.