The Theory and Practice of Nurture Groups

Welcome to the training information

The Theory and Practice of Nurture Groups training course is credit rated by the Scottish Credit Qualifications Framework (SCQF.) It is a three-day course (attendance of all three days is a requirement).

Structure of the three day course:
  • 7 hours per day
  • Comfort breaks and lunch to be agreed as a group
Day one
  • Introductions
  • Origins, context and rationale
  • Nurture practice
  • Neuroscience and nurture groups
Day two
  • Attachment theory and nurture groups
  • Nurture principles into practice
  • Assessment using the Boxall Profile®
  • The assignment
Day three
  • Re-cap and reflection
  • Ethical practice
  • The assignment
  • Planning with the Boxall Profile®
  • Developing the curriculum
  • A planned approach with the Marjorie Boxall Quality Mark Award guidance
Training materials:

Each delegate will receive a copy of the materials listed below:

Delegates are invited to pre-read the materials in advance of the session. Additional webinar support is also included in the course covering assignment top tips, assignment submission, and key components for effective nurture group provision.

  1. Access to Zoom - This can be restricted by your establishment’s security and/or firewall settings.  Please try the link before the day and if you have any issues contact your IT support or access the course from home or any other suitable alternative location.
  2. Access to a quiet study area for the duration of the training
  3. One screen per person - To ensure maximum quality of training. However if this is not possible two per screen as a maximum is acceptable.
  4. Audio and video access - Using your video and audio is a requirement of the training. This contributes to a professional online learning environment, active participation and fosters a connection with the trainer and other delegates.
  5. Course resources (essential for course attendance).

We respectfully remind you that this training has been reserved for you and therefore no other person may join or listen in at any time without booking a place for themselves separately.

Please access the nurtureuk learning platform ‘thinkific’:

  • Access the learning platform 'here'.
  • Select 'Access a course with a coupon code'.
  • Choose 'The Theory and Practice of Nurture Groups'.
  • Sign up, or sign-in if you have used our learning platform before.
  • Select ‘Have a coupon?’
  • Enter the coupon code provided in your email invitation and select ‘Apply’ and ‘Purchase’.
  • To locate the course in future sign-in and navigate to ‘My Dashboard’.

This access includes:

  • The Theory and Practice of Nurture Group resources
  • Introduction to the Boxall Profile® Online
  • Snack Time digital booklet and pre-recorded webinar

We encourage you to access the learning platform and familiarise yourself with 'The Assignment’ section where you will find supporting documents including:

  • Registration and assignment submission information
  • Frequently asked questions
  • Additional guidance for the critical reflection and referencing
  • Assignment Framework norms’ for 4-11yrs and 11-14yrs.

Introduction to the Boxall Profile® Online
Please note that once started delegates have 28 days access to complete it and download/print the certificate. It should take no longer than 2 - 3 hours to complete and does not need to be completed in one sitting.

Snack Time bundle
The Snack Time bundle is a pre-recorded webinar and digital copies of the Snack Time publication and Nurture Recipe Book. The bundle focuses on the sharing of food in nurture settings and considers why it is such a vital part of the nurture curriculum. It aims to explain the theory and research behind the snack time routine and will be helpful to nurture practitioners and those working with children with social, emotional, behavioural, mental health and speech and language difficulties to ensure that there is a whole school understanding of the rationale.

  1. Draft a pen portrait for your child or young person - a template is available in the appropriate Assignment Framework download.
  2. One observation of your child or young person, remember to use a method that you feel comfortable with and can be completed in your setting - narrative is the most common.
  3. A Boxall Profile® for your child or young person.
  4. Reflect upon the work we have covered on the Six Principles of Nurture over the first two days of training. Think about what they look like currently in your practice, what you would like to do next? How might it inform your nurture group curriculum and practice? There is a proforma for this on page 72 of your workbook.

It would also be useful for you to complete the Introduction to the Boxall Profile® Online training and re-read the Marjorie Boxall Quality Mark Award information in chapter 10 of your workbook.

If you need any support for the training sessions please email info@nurtureuk.org 

If you need any support for the assignment please email submission@nurtureuk.org