Introduction

Thus far, this book has centred on children living within, arguably, ordinary family environments. However, some children live in families that are not functioning well and others do not live in a family setting at all. There are some children, who, in addition to facing particular adversities, are also exposed to the highest poverty risk; for example: young carers; refugee and asylum-seeking children; children in the criminal justice system; teenage parents; children facing ‘adverse childhood experiences’ (ACEs); and children who are looked after by the state. There is insufficient space in this chapter to explore the experiences of all these children; however, often their vulnerabilities are multiple and intertwined. For example, a young person dealing with ACEs is more likely to experience the criminal justice system or be looked after by the state. The following sections address the circumstances of young carers, looked-after children, refugee and asylum-seeking children, and those facing ACEs.

At present, across the US and the UK, there is a particular focus on children facing ACEs. These adversities are based on family situations such as domestic abuse, physical and sexual abuse, imprisonment, mental health problems, among other factors. I am giving particular attention to ACEs because they are a good example of the ways in which certain issues get codified and then not much examined. They are examples of something being labelled, which then influences the way we see the issues; we then get drawn into a particular policy public narrative, practice or direction. Every now and again we categorise an issue as it seems a way of understanding it, but the thinking can become fossilised. This is not to deny that some children do face extremely high levels of adversity, or trauma and, when they do, they require a sensitive and dedicated service provision.