Description
NCFE CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences
- £261
- *Prices shown are all-inclusive of VAT—no extra charges!
- Priority Track option available
Why Study with us?
- Priority-track assessments and workbook marking
- For adults aged 19+ working, or hoping to work, with children and young people
- Flexible, self-paced study – most learners finish in 2–3 months
- Courses designed and assessed by subject-qualified industry trainers and assessors
- One-to-one live sessions (if desired) with expert tutors
Adverse Childhood Experiences Course Overview
This adverse childhood experiences course leads to the NCFE CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences, an Ofqual-regulated qualification for adults aged 19 or over. It is designed for people who work with, or want to work with, children and young people – for example in nurseries, schools, youth work, residential childcare, fostering, health and social care or family support – and for anyone who wants to understand how difficult early experiences can shape a child’s life. No previous qualification is needed.
In three mandatory units you first look at holistic child development from birth to 18, different perspectives on childhood, and how family roles and structures vary. You then explore the types of ACEs, how the developing brain responds to stress, the outcomes children affected by ACEs may face, and the role of the practitioner, including the Resilience Framework. Finally, you study trauma-informed strategies and policies that build resilience, and reflect on your own practice and development. The course is knowledge-based, so you do not need a placement. It works well alongside the Level 2 Award in Safeguarding and Protecting Children and Young People.
Career Opportunities and Progression after the Adverse Childhood Experiences Training
Trauma-informed approaches are now widely used across early years, education, social care and health, so an understanding of ACEs is valuable for anyone who works with children and families. The certificate is useful continuing professional development for nursery and early years staff, teaching assistants and teachers, youth and family support workers, foster carers, residential childcare workers and health and social care staff who support children and young people. It can also strengthen an application if you hope to move into one of these areas, although it is a knowledge qualification and does not on its own qualify you for a particular job role.
To build on your learning, you could progress to our Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Children and Young People’s Mental Health, or to a Level 3 qualification linked to your setting, such as the Level 3 Diploma for Working in the Early Years Sector (Early Years Educator), the Level 3 Award in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools or the Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare (England).
Do I need a work placement to complete this course?
No. This is a knowledge-only qualification, so you do not need to be working with children or to complete a work placement. Everything is studied and assessed online. Some assignments ask you to reflect on practice and on your own development, and you can draw on a current or previous role, volunteering or your wider experience to do this.
There are no exams. You complete written assignments for each of the three units, building a portfolio of evidence that is internally assessed by your tutor and externally quality assured by NCFE. There are no grades: you achieve the qualification once all three units have been completed successfully. Assignments are marked within 3–5 working days, or 1–3 working days on Priority Track.
You complete all three mandatory units.
Unit 01: Exploring Childhood and Family Structures
Unit 02: Introduction to Adverse Childhood Experiences
Unit 03: Understand Strategies to Improve Outcomes for Children Affected by Adverse Childhood Experiences
The qualification has 120 guided learning hours (GLH) and a total qualification time (TQT) of 135 hours. Study is self-paced, and most learners complete the adverse childhood experiences course in 2–3 months, fitting study around work and family life. Your enrolment includes 12 months’ access to the learning platform and unlimited tutor support from the date you enrol; if you need longer, you can extend your access for a re-enrolment fee.
Qualification Number: 603/5808/7
NCFE is an Awarding Organisation regulated by Ofqual, ensuring that all qualifications adhere to rigorous standards.
Vocational Courses we offer in Bundle
Pricing Plans
Standard One Time Purchase
Make a single payment, and you're all set to begin your learning journey.
£261*inc. VAT
- OfQual-approved qualification
- 24/7 access to LMS and unlimited tutor support
- Transparent pricing, no hidden charges
- Start when you're ready with a full year of access.
- Unlimited revisions
- Receive feedback within 3 – 5 working days
Standard Monthly
Spread the cost of £300.12 (inc. VAT) with convenient monthly payments over 6 months.
£50.02*inc. VAT
per month
Priority Track One Time Purchase
Make a single payment, and you're all set to begin your learning journey.
£300*inc. VAT
- OfQual-approved qualification
- 24/7 access to LMS and unlimited tutor support
- Transparent pricing, no hidden charges
- Start when you're ready with a full year of access.
- Unlimited revisions
- Receive feedback within 1 – 3 working days
Priority Track Monthly
Spread the cost of £345.00 (inc. VAT) with convenient monthly payments over 6 months.
£57.50*inc. VAT
per month
Discounted Business/Corporate Purchases
Enjoy Bulk Discounts
The following bulk discounts are applicable to our corporate clients:
5% for booking 3 learnersÂ
10% for booking 5 or more learnersÂ
15% for booking 10 or more learners
For enquiries, please contact our sales team at +44 20 8178 4802
Flexible Payment Options
Take advantage of a 30-day payment term when buying 5 or more courses. Please note that an upfront payment will be required unless you are a regular buyer.
Course reviews
Frequently Asked Questions
It is for adults aged 19 or over who work, volunteer or want to work with children and young people, including early years practitioners, teaching assistants, teachers, youth workers, foster carers, residential childcare and social care staff. It also suits anyone who wants to understand the impact of childhood adversity. You do not need any previous qualifications.
ACEs are potentially traumatic events or circumstances in childhood, such as abuse, neglect, domestic abuse, a parent’s mental ill health or substance misuse, parental separation, or having a family member in prison. Research has linked ACEs with poorer health and life outcomes, but they do not decide a child’s future: safe, supportive relationships and resilience can make a real difference, and this course focuses on how practitioners can help.
You will learn about child development from birth to 18 and different family structures, the main types of ACEs and how stress affects the developing brain, the possible outcomes for children, and the practitioner’s role. You will also study the Resilience Framework, trauma-informed strategies to improve outcomes, and how to reflect on and develop your own practice.
No. NCFE, the awarding body, sets a minimum age of 19 for this qualification, so we can only enrol learners aged 19 or over. If you are 16–18 and interested in this area, the Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Children and Young People’s Mental Health is open from age 16.
Yes. This ACEs training is 100% online through our learning platform, so you can study at home, at any time, on a computer, tablet or phone. You have 12 months’ access, unlimited tutor support and the option of one-to-one live sessions with a tutor. You can pay in full or spread the cost over 6 monthly payments.
You must be aged 19 or over, as set by NCFE. There are no formal academic entry requirements, although a Level 1 qualification in a related area can be helpful. You just need basic reading and writing skills and a device with an internet connection.
No. There are no fixed deadlines for individual assignments, so you can work at your own pace as long as you complete the course within your 12-month access period.
This qualification is awarded by NCFE, an awarding organisation regulated by Ofqual, under its CACHE brand for care, health and education qualifications. When you complete the course you will receive an NCFE CACHE certificate.
Qualification Number: 603/5808/7
If you still have any questions, please refer to our main FAQs page or contact us for further assistance.
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