There are numerous books, research journals, and media about nurture group practices, and many schools choose to develop their groups based on these resources, without dedicated nurture group training.
However, at nurtureuk, we frequently encounter delegates in our Theory and Practice of Nurture Groups training who have already started their groups and attend retrospectively because they have realised the complexities involved in supporting nurture group pupils. This blog will give an insight into our nurture group training course and highlight its importance for those setting up a new group or looking to enhance an existing one.
The Graduated Approach to nurture
The Graduated Approach is a framework used by nurtureuk to outline the levels of support available to enhance the social and emotional wellbeing of children and young people. This approach ensures that each child receives the necessary support tailored to their individual needs.
Nurture groups are situated near the top of this support, providing targeted assistance for children and young people experiencing significant social, emotional, and behavioural difficulties (SEBD) or social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs. These programmes are most effective when integrated into a whole-school nurturing ethos, where all staff understand the role of the nurture group, and when students who have graduated from the group return to a nurturing and supportive classroom environment.
What is a nurture group?
Nurture groups are designed to meet the social, emotional, and educational needs of individual pupils by providing the support they need to overcome barriers to learning. There is a strong emphasis on emotional literacy, language development, and communication skills. Pupils are immersed in a warm and accepting environment that looks and feels like a mixture of home and school, which helps to compensate for missing or distorted early nurturing experiences, enabling them to build positive relationships with both teachers and peers.
Typically, nurture groups consist of six to twelve children or young people and are facilitated by two staff members trained in nurture interventions. These groups can be established in early years, primary, or secondary settings, as well as in special needs schools.
Nurture group training
The Theory and Practice of Nurture Groups
Our nurture group training programme, recognised by the Scottish Credit Qualifications Framework (SCQF), is essential for practitioners seeking to deepen their expertise. This comprehensive course provides an in-depth understanding of key principles of nurture, attachment theory, neuroscience, and the Boxall Profile®. By participating in nurture group training, nurture practitioners will be empowered to make a profound impact on the lives of those they support.
The Boxall Profile® is a tool that allows schools to assess the SEBD/SEMH needs of children and young people, providing the foundation for various nurture approaches and is the go-to assessment tool for nurture group pupils. This assessment was originally developed by Marjorie Boxall over 40 years ago, and no other assessment is as effective for nurture groups.
A breakdown of the course
Our nurture group training focuses on the theory of nurture, and its significance and implications for good practice.
Key topics include:
- The theoretical framework underpinning nurture groups and nurturing approaches.
- The Six Principles of Nurture
- The relevance of early childhood experiences on the learning, development, and well-being of children and young people.
- How attachment theory and neuroscience underpin the Six Principles of Nurture and nurture practices.
- The Boxall Profile®
- The theoretical basis for The Boxall Profile®.
- How to undertake a Boxall Profile® Assessment and interpret its findings to plan a response to pupils’ needs.
- Access to the online version of the Boxall Profile® training course, which is particularly beneficial for nurture teachers, as it can provide group comparative data over time, allowing for progress tracking and empowering staff and senior leaders to make informed decisions based on data. This helps in planning targeted nurture interventions and support to ensure that pupils receive the precise assistance they require.
Why do I need to be nurture trained?
Creating a successful nurture group goes far beyond simply reading a few books and diving in. It demands a comprehensive, whole-school approach, grounded in a solid understanding of neuroscience and attachment theory. We find that nurture practitioners who initially set up groups without our training often attend The Theory and Practice of Nurture Groups course, retrospectively to deepen their knowledge with us, fully aware that enhancing their expertise directly translates to improved practices. This, in turn, provides profound and meaningful support for their most vulnerable students, ensuring they receive the guidance and care they truly deserve.
The importance of the Boxall Profile® in nurture groups
Practitioners must have a high level of expertise in assessing and planning tailored support for their nurture group pupils. Central to our training course is the aforementioned Boxall Profile®, a vital tool for understanding and addressing the unique challenges that nurture group pupils face. Nurture practitioners must acquire a profound understanding of the Boxall Profile®—learning to identify challenges early and plan impactful, targeted interventions.
Our nurture training delves deeply into the Boxall Profile®, empowering practitioners to conduct comprehensive assessments with confidence. It underscores the significance of translating assessment findings into meaningful insights about individual pupils, shedding light on their emotional states and the underlying reasons for their behaviours. Most critically, the course investigates effective strategies to support pupils grappling with complex emotions and behaviours, ultimately enriching the curriculum of the nurture group and enhancing the educational experience of the nurture group pupils.
The Six Principles of Nurture
To effectively support pupil wellbeing, behaviour, and learning outcomes, practitioners must possess a comprehensive understanding of the Six Principles of Nurture, as well as the theories of attachment and neuroscience that shape early experiences. Our training course equips educators with practical, impactful strategies to foster a nurturing environment not only within the nurture group but across the entire school community.
The importance of nurture groups
Nurture groups are purposefully crafted to meet the critical social and emotional needs that can impede pupils’ learning journeys. The nurture group empowers pupils to cultivate vital social skills, enhance their confidence and self-worth, and take pride in their positive behaviours and accomplishments. Therefore, nurture practitioners need to possess a deep understanding of both nurturing approaches and the statutory curriculum.
Our nurture group training offers in-depth strategies and insights on effectively dismantling barriers to learning, fostering resilience, and promoting self-efficacy in pupils who find traditional mainstream classrooms challenging. This training demonstrates effective strategies for engaging reluctant learners, equipping them with the essential skills they need to successfully reintegrate into mainstream classrooms with newfound confidence and enthusiasm.
Are you ready to become a trained nurture practitioner? Book a spot on our next training course.