Exposure to Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) is a significant concern with potential long-term consequences. This project addresses the critical issue of children’s help-seeking in relation to ACE, exploring the preconditions and pathways that surround it. Additionally, through a participatory design, we intend to investigate how the knowledge gained can be implemented in social work practice. The research project is run by researchers at Södertörn University
and Stockholm University. In the project, we investigate children's general perceptions of ACE and opportunities for help and support, young people's own experiences of and narratives about social adversity and help-seeking during childhood, professionals' perspectives on children's help-seeking, and how children's access to help and support can be promoted and realised in practice.

Research problem and specific questions

Exposure to Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) is a significant concern with potential long-term consequences, often remaining unrecognised and unreported. This project addresses the critical issue of children’s help-seeking in relation to ACE, exploring the preconditions and pathways that surround it. Additionally, through a participatory design, we intend to investigate how the knowledge gained can be implemented in social work practice. The following research questions will be guiding:

●     What are the general perceptions among children about social rights, societal support functions and possibilities for help in relation to ACE?

●     How do young people with personal experience of ACE describe their opportunities for help-seeking, their own help-seeking process, and their need for assistance and support in this regard?

●     What are professionals' perspectives on children's help-seeking and how do they view their prerequisites to offer support in the help-seeking process?

●     How can knowledge about children’s preconditions and pathways for help-seeking be disseminated and implemented in social work practice through participatory and co-creative methods?

Data and Method

This project will draw on various types of data, including a survey of school children, interviews with young people and professionals, and collaborative workshops with stakeholders. The project has the potential to contribute much needed knowledge about children’s help-seeking, considering different perspectives on the matter. Furthermore, by collaborating with stakeholders, the project aspires to enhance the preconditions for children to seek and access help.

Societal relevance and utilisation

Increased knowledge about the character and preconditions for children’s help-seeking will be instrumental in improving professionals’ recognition, reporting, and response to child exposure to ACE. Additionally, the project addresses the need for child welfare services to enhance the accessibility of early measures. Collaborative workshops will be used to develop ways of disseminating knowledge to children, contributing to strengthening children's own help-seeking capacities.

Plan for project realisation

The project will consist of four work packages, each led by one researcher. A reference group with key stakeholders will be involved through all stages. The costs will primarily cover funding for researchers and the reference group, who will collaboratively work on the project.