Nurture groups in practice : children; classes; schools

Warin, Joanna and Hibbin, Rebecca Alison (2016) Nurture groups in practice : children; classes; schools. Nurture Group Network, Lancaster.

Abstract

This report provides a comparative analysis of Nurture Groups in seven school settings across the North West of England: five with traditional Nurture Groups in school, and two ‘alternative provisions’ pursing either ‘integrated nurture’, or practice based upon attachment principles but without specialised Nurture Group provision. The broad aims of the report centre upon uncovering the principles of nurture-in-practice in relation to: the impact of the Nurture Group as a psychosocial intervention for vulnerable children; the influence of school leadership; the preconditions for effective communication; and lessons for mainstream primary classrooms. Overall, this report concludes that a commitment to the creation and maintenance of ongoing relationships; an understanding of behaviour as communication which naturally leads to less punitive, more restorative, forms of behaviour management; and a commitment to the support and training of the whole staff-base are essential elements in the promotion of successful nurture practice in school. It is suggested that these principles are most effectively implemented through the simultaneous provision of specialised Nurture Groups as well as through an integrated nurturing philosophy that runs across the whole school.