In December 2017, the UK House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee launched an Inquiry into the evidence-base for early years intervention, with a particular focus on programmes influenced by the concept of ‘Adverse Childhood Experiences’ or ACEs.

CPCS associates and social policy specialists from a number of universities were concerned that the inquiry’s remit was open to considering contributions that were more circumspect about the ACEs approach. Professor Rosalind Edwards, University of Southampton; Professor Val Gillies, University of Westminster; Professor Ellie Lee and Dr Jan Macvarish, University of Kent; Professor Susan White, University of Sheffield and Professor David Wastell, University of Nottingham therefore collaborated to produce a submission which sets out some grounds on which the claims made about ACEs might be questioned.

Watch the Committee Session with Professors Sue White and Ros Edwards giving evidence

Read the written contribution here

After the submission was published by the Committee, it was circulated to fellow academics similarly concerned about the limitations of the ACEs approach.

Respondents listed below. Read commentary here: Discussing the Problem with ACEs

Subsequent work has also included the publication of a special themed section of Social Policy and Society, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) – Implications and Challenges with article commissioning led by Professors Ros Edwards, Val Gillies and Sue White. CPCS’ Ellie Lee and Jan Macvarish contributed a paper ‘Constructions of Parents in Adverse Childhood Experiences Discourse’