Children’s social and emotional development is facing a crisis in England, according to new data which highlights a sharp rise in the number of school pupils facing difficulties. 

Analysis released by education charity nurtureuk suggests that nearly 1 in 6 (16%) school children aged 5-16 now have a high level of social and emotional needs, up from 1 in 10 (10%) in 2018 - a jump of 60% [1].

Combined with the 27% of schoolchildren with moderate needs, the analysis suggests that nearly half of all schoolchildren in England (43%) now need support with social and emotional development - equating to more than three million pupils [2].

Many are struggling with fundamental skills such as managing their emotions, building positive relationships, and concentrating and behaving in the classroom. 

 

The data comes from nurtureuk’s Boxall Profile® Online - the most popular tool in state-funded schools for measuring Social, Emotional, and Mental Health functioning [3].

Arti Sharma, Chief Executive, nurtureuk, said:

“So many of our children are now in urgent need of help if they are to succeed in school and life. This issue isn’t going away–it’s only getting worse. And it means extra pressure on schools and teachers.
But we know change is possible."

The report follows an emergency motion earlier this year by NASUWT - The Teachers’ Union, which highlighted the struggle that many teachers were facing to meet the behaviour needs of their pupils. 

Arti Sharma added:

"Through nurture practice and the use of the Boxall Profile® Online, schools are able to spot social and emotional development needs early and respond with the right support. This transforms pupils’ wellbeing, behaviour and readiness to learn–and it also protects against the far greater social and financial costs that come when these needs go unrecognised.”

 

School exclusions - usually prompted by challenging and disruptive behaviour in the classroom more than doubled between 2017/18 and 2023/24 [4], with last year’s excluded cohort estimated to cost the Treasury in the region of £1.9bn [5].

The report highlights schools, working with nurtureuk to identify and address children’s social and emotional development needs, which are seeing improved behaviour and attendance, reduced suspensions and exclusions. 

 

One example is Forest Academy primary school in Croydon, where 70% of pupils are eligible for free school meals. Since working with nutureuk, the school, which has around 200 pupils, has managed to cut suspensions to zero, down from a peak of seven in 2021/22.

Swabra Lloyd, Headteacher at Forest Academy, which was just announced by the government as one of its 21 ‘Attendance and Behaviour Hubs’, said:

“It’s really quite simple - once you have happy children, they want to be in school.

“Using the Six Principles of Nurture and the Boxall Profile® Online, we can identify children experiencing social and emotional difficulties much more easily, and also put in place the support that’s needed for them to thrive.

“Ultimately, we believe our children learn best when they feel safe, understood, valued and have a strong sense of belonging.”

 

Nurtureuk is calling for universal social-emotional assessment in schools, supported by DfE statutory guidance, and investment in whole-school nurturing approaches. 

The charity’s analysis will be discussed at an Inclusion and Nurture in Education All Party Parliamentary Group event on 11th November.