On 24th January 2018, MSPs held a debate on Adverse Childhood Experiences (or ACEs), having received briefings from a number of organisations (including the WAVE Trust, Barnardo's, the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children Scotland and Children 1st).

This was an extremely worthwhile debate which highlights the research, evidence and calls for action to respond to ACEs in Scotland. 

"research has found that a relationship with one trusted adult during childhood can mitigate the impacts of ACEs on mental and physical wellbeing" (Jeremy Balfour, MSP for Lothian)

We have picked out some of the resources referred to in the debate and linked them in the resources section below.

Resources

Scottish Parliament: Members' Business: Adverse Childhood Experiences (external website)

Scottish Parliament: Meeting of the Parliament 24 January 2018 Report (external website)

KPJR Films: Resilience: The biology of stress and the science of hope (external website)

70/30 Campaign (external website)

NHS Scotland: 'Polishing the Diamonds': Addressing Adverse Childhood Experiences in Scotland (PDF)

NHS Health Scotland: Adverse Childhood Experiences (external website)

NHS Health Scotland: Tackling the attainment gap by preventing and responding to Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) (PDF)

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Adverse Childhood Experiences (external website)

Barnardo's Scotland calls for an increased focus on the impact of trauma on children Press Release 23/01/18 (external website)