It takes a far-sighted investor to forfeit quick returns in favour of lasting social change.
For over two decades, WAVE Trust has been pioneering research-based solutions to transform the futures of children. This will be achieved through breaking cycles of disadvantage, especially through recognition of the importance of investment in the early years of life.
The 70/30 Initiative is a UK-wide movement that we co-ordinate to prevent and reduce key adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) such as child abuse, neglect and witnessing domestic violence by 70% by 2030.
It is supported by an alliance of over 20 charities, think tanks, Royal Colleges and Early Years Champions with two key strands: top-down (working with senior policymakers and politicians across the UK) and bottom-up (changing local communities through citizen empowerment).
Current systems do not prevent problems. Prevention means understanding and addressing the root causes. Those root causes are most often adverse childhood experiences.
Campaigners and practitioners across the country are creating change in their communities. 328 MPs and over half the Scottish Parliament have endorsed the 70/30 initiative. The tide is turning.
Since early 2018, we've been supporting local activists in their aims to transform their towns, cities and counties into trauma-informed communities.
Abuse, neglect and other adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) often transmit from generation to generation. At least half the children in an average classroom will suffer ACEs. We won't resolve this problem until we start preventing it.
From the perpetrators and victims they engage with, to the stress they experience, police officers encounter trauma on a daily basis.
Children succeed in school when their challenges are understood, and when the school is trauma-informed and responsive.
Trauma affects the likelihood of a person going to prison, acting violently whilst there, and returning to prison after release. We can stop this cycle.