Well. Thank you for asking.
Firstly we need to front load services and input more pre natally and in the first three years when so much happens to the the developing child’s physiology and brain development. There are evidence based approaches that can support parents to acknowledge and process their own childhood trauma and build their ability to parent in ways that support secure attachments.
I would put in services aimed at reducing all ACES - Adverse Childhood Experiences.
I would build on what Wales is doing with aiming to be a trauma informed nation. It’s early days but a good direction of travel.
I would reform the current ELSA programmes in schools and have interventions delivered by therapists supervised by qualified Child Psychologists. Id pump money into education to make schools smaller and with smaller class sizes - it’s too hard for schools to build good relationships with all kids when class sizes are so big. I’d lessen government curriculum setting, make teaching qualifications masters level and pay teachers more. Just one good relationship with a caring adult can reduce the negative impact of trauma on children. A sense of belonging in school can minimise toxic effects from home.
Id put more money into statutory services around domestic abuse from education to refuges. I’d have a Domestic Abuse register similar to the sex offenders register to build on Claire’s Law.
I would criminalise fathers who deliberately dodge paying their way. I’d give CMS more powers.
I would put more resources into prevention and early intervention in young offenders. Trauma informed approaches.
id put money into Children’s services and make social work training masters level, pay them more and build therapeutic services within the Local Authority.
I’d fund all this by taxing anyone with over 10 million in wealth a 5% tax. This would also help redistribute wealth and reduce social inequality which is known to then increase mental health and reduce crime (the greater the gap between the rich and poor, the worse a society’s mental health and the higher crime rates are).
It’s back of a fag packet stuff but cones from a fair understanding of the issues. I’m not an expert but have expertise. If I was a white, middle class man and not a fifty year old woman I’d say I was an expert without doubt.