Every school in Wales is being encouraged to take up a new training package so that staff can help pupils overcome the damaging effects of early childhood trauma.

Teachers, lunchtime supervisors and other support staff will be offered training to make them more aware of the life-long impact adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can have on pupils.

ACEs include family breakdown or bereavement, verbal and physical abuse, drug and alcohol abuse in the home, having a parent in prison, sexual abuse and mental illness. Research by Public Health Wales and Bangor University shows that 41% of adults with four or more ACEs are now suffering low mental health well being.

Four or more ACEs also leaves an adult four times more likely to be a high-risk drinker, six times more likely to be a smoker and 14 times more likely to have been involved in violence in the last year.

Public Health Wales is now working with Cymru Well Wales, the criminal justice sector, Barnardo’s Cymru, the NSPCC and a wide range of other partners to look at ways of mitigating the effects of ACEs.

That includes helping children to become more resilient and research has shown that having access to a trusted adult in childhood, supportive friends and being engaged in community activities such as sports reduces the risks of developing mental illness.

Three primary schools in Bridgend county have been involved in a pilot project funded by the Home Office Police Innovation Fund and the South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner. Following this, a training package will be available to all primary and secondary schools in Wales from the middle of the year.

The pilot schools received an initial introduction to ACEs awareness delivered by Barnardo’s Cymru and the NSPCC, then two further sessions from educational psychologists focusing on how to support children affected by trauma.

Garth Primary School, Maesteg, was one of the pilots, along with Caerau and Llangynwyd. Head of Garth, Julie Thomas, said: “The training demonstrated the importance of our role as a school. One of our key aims has always been to develop the resilience of our children so our staff were engaged from the beginning.

“The resources were really professional and the fact that the training involved support staff too made it feel very inclusive. I think it will help us address pupils’ wellbeing needs and give hope to children who have experienced trauma in their lives.”

Sian Griffiths is an additional learning needs co-ordinator at St Gwladys Primary School, Bargoed, seconded to Public Health Wales to oversee the pilot and the roll-out of the training package across Wales.

“This is a multi-agency approach and we hope schools will look at where they are now in terms of pupils’ wellbeing and where they could be. Healthy Schools co-ordinators will create action plans and by becoming ACE-informed schools they will be able to provide emotional coaching for pupils and develop their resilience while also looking after staff wellbeing,” she said.

“Children’s behaviour is their way of communicating and we need to be better at understanding the changes in brain development when they are living in an environment with toxic stress. Experiencing four or more ACEs has a tremendous impact not just on their education but their whole lives, including their mental and physical health.

“We can’t take away those ACESs but we can help children develop resilience by helping them build relationships with supportive, caring role models so they feel safe and secure and can share their worries. They need to feel part of a community and things like sporting activities can really help.”

Barnardo’s Cymru has worked closely with Garth on the PATHS© programme, a whole-school approach to building resilience.

Youngsters have been taught how to recognise their emotions and handle them better, look after children who look sad or lonely in the playground and feel more positive about themselves.

Teachers say they have seen a dramatic difference in children’s behaviour thanks to PATHS© which promotes social emotional learning. Not only do pupils learn to manage their emotions but they are encouraged to show greater empathy for others, establish positive relationships and make responsible decisions.

Lessons use a range of age-appropriate tools including puppets and real life stories, sessions are held for parents and there is training for teachers and other school staff. Older children can learn how to act as helpers to playground supervisors and Friendship Groups are formed focussing on communication skills, teamwork and effective conflict management.