Routine Enquiry Adverse Childhood Experiences (REACh)

Sometimes as we work to support  your child we may invite you to join us for a REACh conversation. This is so we can better understand the experiences you bring to parenting your child and help us to identify if there are ways we can support you and your child to support their social, emotional and mental health needs. 

You will be listened to, without judgement and you can share only the things you feel comfortable enough to share. We will always explain how a REACh conversation will be done so that you feel comfortable before, during and afterwards. 

Why do we sometimes want to talk about your childhood as well as your child's experiences?

Research has found that people who experience trauma or adversity in childhood are more likely to have poor physical and mental health and social outcomes in the future. This may also mean that people who have experienced ACEs may then expose these to their own children, leading to cycles of poor health and negative outcomes that affect families across generations.

“Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) refer to some of the most intensive and frequently occurring sources of stress that children may suffer early in life. Such experiences include multiple types of abuse; neglect; violence between parents or caregivers; other kinds of serious household dysfunction such as alcohol and substance abuse; and peer, community and collective violence."

To prevent future traumatic events and lessen the impact of these experiences, it is important for professionals to understand whether people have experienced ACEs in the past and to provide an opportunity, time and space to safely discuss their experiences.  We will actively listen and only offer guidance where needed. One proposed way of finding out about this is to use a process called ‘routine enquiry’. Routine enquiry (questionnaire) is a way that professionals can sensitively ask about ACEs with the people they see within the services that they provide.  

During our work  with a child and  family, we may become aware of  two or more adverse childhood experiences for a parent/carer or young person and  this needs exploring further. Sometimes ACEs can become a barrier, impacting on family life and the child’s educational outcomes.  Those affected may also be unable to sustain changes despite support or struggle to engage with support offered. 

We may consider completing an ACE enquiry with a parent of a child whose SEMH needs are impacted by environmental factors outside of school.