Analyze the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) on human development.

Module title

Insert details

CRN

55430

Level

4

Assessment title

The Lifespan Connection: Understanding ACEs and Building Resilience

Weighting within module

This assessment is worth 100% of the overall module mark.

Module Leader/Assessment set by

Submission deadline date and time

Insert details

The submission deadline is 10^th March, 2025, by no later than 16:00. Any submission received after 16:00 (even if only by a few seconds will be considered as late).

Students with a Reasonable Adjustment Plan (RAP) or Carer Support Plan should check your plan to see if an extension to this submission date has been agreed.

How to submit

You should submit your assessment into the folder marked Assessment and then into the area labelled Case Study

As your assessments are marked anonymously, please use your student roll number and not your name on your submission.

Assessment task details and instructions

Title: The Lifespan Connection: Understanding ACEs and Building Resilience

Submission Format: Written report (divided into sections as outlined below)

Objective:

This assessment challenges students to:

1. Analyze the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) on human development.
2. Critically link ACEs to future outcomes using developmental theories.
3. Examine the role of social workers in mitigating risks and building protective factors.
4. Demonstrate critical thinking and research skills through structured reflection and creative solutions.

Section 1: Case Study Analysis

Word Count: 1000 words

Case Study:

Jordan is a 10-year-old who has experienced significant ACEs, including parental substance abuse, neglect, and exposure to domestic violence. Jordan often has difficulty concentrating in school, struggles with forming positive relationships, and exhibits aggressive outbursts. Jordan’s teacher reports frequent absences and expresses concern about future risks, including academic failure, isolation, and potential juvenile justice involvement.

Tasks:

1. Analyse Risks and Outcomes:

1. Identify three key long-term impacts of Jordan’s ACEs on physical, emotional, and social development. (LO 1)
2. Use one developmental theory (LO1) to support your analysis .e.g.

• Erikson’s Psychosocial Stages of Development: Explore how unresolved challenges at Jordan`s stage (industry vs. inferiority) could affect future stages.
• Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs: Explain how unmet foundational needs could limit self-actualization.
• Attachment Theory: Discuss how neglect and trauma might influence Jordan’s ability to form secure attachments.(LO2)

2. ACEs Framework Application:

1. Explain how ACEs increase risks for negative outcomes, including chronic health conditions, mental illness, or substance use. (LO2)
2. Use evidence from research (e.g., Felitti et al., 1998) to connect childhood adversity to adult outcomes. (lo4)

Prompt for Reflection:

• How might cultural and systemic factors (e.g., socioeconomic status, racism) exacerbate or mitigate the impact of ACEs in Jordan’s case? (LO2)

Section 2: Practice Reflection

Word Count: 1000 words

Scenario:

You are meeting with Jordan’s caregiver, who is overwhelmed and unsure how to support Jordan. Your goals are to:

1. Identify possible protective factors in the family and
2. come up with one intervention that can be implemented to help and support Jordon to feel safe and supported.

(LO3)

Assessment Criteria

You should look clearly  at the assessment criteria to find out what we are specifically looking at during the assessment. Your work will be marked against the rubric which you will find in the Module information

Knowledge and Understanding

Practical, Professional or Subject Specific Skills

Assessed intended learning outcomes

On successful completion of this assessment, you will be able to:

Upon successful completion of the module, you will be able to:

1. Describe and explain contemporary theories about human growth and development

2. Describe and explain the factors that affect development, e.g. environmental, social

3. Explain how these theories and factors can inform social work practice

4. Demonstrate an awareness of how a person’s identity and development are informed by their life experiences

On completion you will have had the opportunity to/will be able to:

5.Link to the Professional Capabilities Framework super domains of:

6.Purpose

7.Practice

8.Communication

9.Assessment

10.Independent learning

Employability Skills developed / demonstrated

You will develop a range of employability skills sought by employers through each assessment.   

Through this assessment will have an opportunity to develop and demonstrate the following employability skills:

(please put a cross in the box for the skill and level demonstrated in the assessment)

I = You will have been introduced to this skill

U = You will have developed an understanding of this skill in the context of your subject

A = You will be able to apply this skill in the context of your subject

D = You will have demonstrated an enhanced understanding and application of this skill in a wider context 

Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tools

Explain if and how students can use AI tools within this assessment. AI features of assistive technologies should be authorised unless agreement has been obtained through an ADA. Staff guidance is available on the LTEC hub site.   

Word count/ duration (if applicable)

Your assessment should be a maximum of 2500 words, You must not exceed the word length

In text quotations are included in your word count. Your reference list is not.

Please note the suggested proportion of words for each section of your assignment.

If you exceed the word limit, the portion of your work over 2500 will not be marks

Feedback arrangements

You can expect to receive feedback by 1^st April 2025

During the Module you will have the opportunity to have feedback on your work during the assessment session

Academic Integrity and Referencing

You are expected to learn and demonstrate skills associated with good academic conduct (academic integrity). Good academic conduct includes the use of clear and correct referencing of source materials. Here is a link to where you can find out more about the skills which students need:

Academic integrity & referencing

Referencing

Academic Misconduct is an action which may give you an unfair advantage in your academic work. This includes plagiarism, asking someone else to write your assessment for you or taking notes into an exam. The University takes all forms of academic misconduct seriously. 

Assessment Information and Support

Support for this Assessment

You can obtain support for this assessment by following the link to the Academic Skills help

https://www.salford.ac.uk/skills

You can find more information about understanding your assessment brief and assessment tips for success here.

Assessment Rules and Processes

You can find information about assessment rules and processes in the Assessment Support module in Blackboard. 

Develop your Academic and Digital Skills

Find resources to help you develop your skills here.

Concerns about Studies or Progress

If you have any concerns about your studies, contact your Personal Tutor or your Student Progression Administrator (SPA).

askUS Services

The University offers a range of support services for students through askUS including Disability and Inclusion Service, Wellbeing and Counselling Services.

Personal Mitigating Circumstances (PMCs)

If personal mitigating circumstances (e.g. illness or other personal circumstances) may have affected your ability to complete this assessment, you can find more information about the Personal Mitigating Circumstances Procedure here.  Independent advice is available from the Students’ Union Advice Centre about this process:  https://www.salfordstudents.com/advice/centre

In Year Retrieval Scheme

Your assessment is not eligible for this scheme.

Reassessment

If you fail your assessment, and are eligible for reassessment, you will be able to find the date for resubmission on your module site in Blackboard.

For students with accepted personal mitigating circumstances for absence/non submission, this will be your replacement assessment attempt. 

We know that having to undergo a reassessment can be challenging however support is available.  Have a look at all the sources of support outlined earlier in this brief.