A summary of the principal recommendations:

The provision of training in relation to trauma-informed approaches and adverse children experiences (ACEs) should be implemented at teacher training level, and at all levels of professional development – from teachers to principals to education welfare officers to SNAs and administrative staff.

Guidance on the issues pertaining to children with ACES in schools, including parental problem alcohol use, should be made available for all educators.

Schools should seek to strengthen collaboration with Tusla and the Gardai to support a child who might be at risk of hidden harm. The UK’s ‘Operation Encompass’ model, an early intervention, must be implemented in Ireland.

Awareness of parental alcohol use during pregnancy must be strengthened across society in order that women have the information and support they require to stop drinking during pregnancy, thus preventing FASD.

Awareness around parental problem alcohol use and its impact on young people and adult children should be raised through information campaigns and training that targets healthcare, social care, early years, child protection, family support, education, and mental health sectors, as well as families and communities.

Investment is required so that front-line services and counsellors are trauma informed

in order to recognise and adequately deal with the issues that stem from adversity in childhood and children and adult children affected by parental problem alcohol use. Innovative evidence-based programmes must become more widely available in communities around the country.

[Based on the study: Understanding the experiences of adult children of alcoholics]