Inclusive and Nurturing Schools Programme

This transformational programme aimed to keep children safe, supported, and thriving in school, tackle exclusions, and ensure children and young people have healthy relationship behaviours and attitudes.

A woman sitting with five children at a table doing gardening activities, an example of nurture activities that may be implemented in London schools as part of the INS programme.

The Inclusive and Nurturing Schools Programme was commissioned by the London Violence Reduction Unit, delivered by nurtureuk and Tender. Nurtureuk led on the Inclusion Strand of the programme, whilst Tender, a charity specialising in the prevention of gender-based violence and the promotion of healthy relationships, led the Healthy Relationships Strand. 

A fundamental part of this programme, and what is at the core of the nurturing approach, is relationships. Strong, healthy, secure and trusting relationships help pupils to feel safe, staff to feel heard, and provide a sense of belonging for all.

The programme was delivered in Barking and Dagenham, Enfield, Croydon, Greenwich, Hackney, Hammersmith and Fulham and Islington. These boroughs were selected based on rates of suspension, absence, persistent absenteeism and pupils with special educational needs (SEN) support, as well as wider measures such as rates of Children in Need and domestic abuse incidents.

The Inclusive and Nurturing Schools Programme offered participating schools training on a range of subjects including the Boxall Profile® Online, resources, activities and enrichment days to support training or to use with young people in the classroom, expert-led networking opportunities, and bespoke consultancy to meet the needs of every individual school.

Our Impact Report from this programme will be available soon.

School children sitting at their desks in a classroom in school.

“We’re delighted to help deliver this vital programme. Children are struggling with their social, emotional and mental health and wellbeing like never before. A nurturing approach in schools is now more essential than ever and this programme will ensure children are ready and able to learn. We look forward to working alongside Tender and the London Violence Reduction Unit to help achieve its aims of reducing exclusions and ensuring children can thrive in school.”

Nurtureuk CEO, Arti Sharma