Abstract

Impact Family Services (FS) is a local charity that supports every member of the family through various networks. This includes, breaking the cycle of domestic abuse, counselling service, separation and divorce, and domestic abuse perpetrator services. They offer emotional and practical support to adult victims/survivors of domestic abuse who reside in South Tyneside and who are over the age of 18. Additionally, a children’s service is available for those who have been a victim of domestic abuse.

It is well evidenced within public health that understanding how Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) affect an individuals’ health and behaviour enables a transformative change. There are strong links between ACEs and poor educational attainment, mental health issues, self-harm, anti-social and criminal behaviour (Hughes, Ford, Davies, Homolova and Bellis, 2018). Providing trauma-informed interventions to those who have experienced ACEs helps build resilience and recovery, improving the lives not only of the individual but their children, wider family, and community.

The goal of the IMPACT FS evaluation was to assess the impact and outcomes of the ACEs programme, run by Impact FS. This programme supports service users, both men and women, to better understand the impact that living with ACEs has had on them and their children. The aim was to determine, from practitioner and client perspectives, how and in what ways the programme helps clients understand and manage their past experiences while developing practical strategies for life.