Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) - Practical ways to help support pupils/students recover from traumatic experiences

Course introduction

In a UK study on ACEs, 47% of people experienced at least one ACE with 9% of the population having 4+ ACES (Bellis et al, 2014).

Therefore as stated by KCSIE (Keeping children safe in education) ‘Where children have suffered abuse and neglect, or other potentially traumatic adverse childhood experiences, this can have a lasting impact throughout childhood, adolescence, and into adulthood. It is key that staff are aware of how these children’s experiences can impact on their mental health, behaviour, and education.’

The Adverse Childhood Experiences training course is designed to give participants an insight and understanding of ACEs and how they may affect children/young people growing up. Time will be given to adverse childhood experiences studies highlighting the potential impact that ACEs can have on children and young people as well as adults. It is important to know that not everyone who has been exposed to ACEs will have negative outcomes but understanding ACEs will help support pupils. This course provides participants with tools, techniques, suggested resources and practical strategies to take back to school.

There will also be opportunities to discuss specific challenges with the trainer and network with others.

What we will cover throughout the day

Consider why a knowledge of ACEs is significant for your work;
Develop an understanding of adverse childhood experiences;
Explore how ACEs can impact on the developing child/young person;
Discuss what you can do to help break the cycle of ACEs when working with children and families;
Recognise the term toxic stress and its effects on the developing brain;
Understand attachment theory and look at the differences between secure and insecure attachment in children/young people;
Unpick the importance of relationships and resilience;
Explore what factors can support the development of resilience and how working with parents can help a child become more resilient;
Understand the role of resilience in helping children/young people cope with adversity;
Look at trauma informed care in relation to childhood trauma;
Develop a system of reflective practice for staff;
Understand the importance of trauma informed practice and trauma informed schools.

Target audience

Aimed at anyone who works directly or indirectly with students and who wants to understand ACEs Adverse Childhood Experiences in more detail and learn ways to help support students. Ideal for school-based staff including teachers, head teachers, deputy headteacher, SENCO/ALNCO, special education teacher, school support staff, classroom assistant, educational psychologists, pastoral care staff and pastoral lead teacher. As well as multidisciplinary teams i.e. looked after children, foster care, adoption agencies, social services.

Trainers for this course

Nicola S. Morgan

BAEd QTS

As an international education consultant, author and teacher, Nicola has a reputation for successfully managing the most challenging behaviour and motivating staff, senior leaders and par...ents to help implement change.

Since starting NSMTC and sharing her expertise with a wider audience, Nicola regularly receives positive feedback. Attendees praise her delivery style and how motivated and inspired they feel following her sessions. They leave each training or course with the confidence to push their own boundaries for personal achievement.

On top of writing countless educational books and articles, Nicola is an International Values-Based Education approved trainer, NLP Master Practitioner and an English Channel Swimmer.

See what others have to say about us

Don’t just take our word for it, visit our social media pages for live feedback.

“Amazing! Highly relevant, thought provoking and informative. I feel well equipped to raise awareness of the effects of trauma and how to try and unravel things to provide relevant support”

“Excellent! The training was an absolute pleasure, very worthwhile and excellently delivered by an obviously knowledgeable and experienced trainer. It provided a plethora of strategies that will impact greatly on the work we do and despite the subject manner, we were not made to feel uncomfortable at all. Nicola went to every effort to get to know us!”

“I've been on several NSMTC courses and can highly recommend them. Nicola is knowledgeable, engaging and keen for her delegates to participate. The ACEs course today has been really useful and I know I have strategies and ideas that I can disseminate immediately to colleagues in school. The courses strike the right balance between the host explaining and the delegates participating and the chat break out rooms are always useful.”

About the venue

Stay at home, get comfortable and enjoy our live interactive course via Zoom! You’ll receive the link a few days before the course date so you can get prepared (and excited) ahead of time.

Handy course logistics

The course will run via Zoom from 9:30 am – 3:00 pm, however, the trainer will be available 15 minutes before and after the course times to answer any questions.
You’ll receive mid-morning, lunch and afternoon breaks to re-energise.
This course is designed to be interactive and inclusive. We welcome questions and discussions throughout and we want you to be comfortable and stress-free no matter where you join us from!
Your course pack includes handouts, an M&S voucher for food, a snack, a pen and a notepad – we’ll send this to you before the day. Please note this is only for UK-based participants, international attendees will receive the pack via email.
Additional links and information will be emailed to you before and during the course.
This course is also available as an in-house / INSET training session at your school. Contact us for details.
Please Note – The cost is per person.

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) – Practical ways to help support pupils/students recover from traumatic experiences