NCB Now: Member focus

The Nurture Group Network is a charity that provides support to more than 1,000 nurture groups in primary schools across the UK. A nurture group is a small supportive class of up to 12 children, who are offered a secure, predictable environment where their unique developmental difficulties can be catered to.

Since nurture groups focus on emotional and social development, as well as traditional academic subjects, research has proved their effectiveness in improving both a child's behaviour and capacity to learn - bringing both home and community benefits.

Nurture groups are selected through the Boxall Profile, which helps staff determine a child's emotional and/or behavioural difficulties, as well as monitor his or her progress. The nurture group room offers a balance between classroom and home environments with activities that allow children to learn necessary classroom skills and how to trust and engage with adults. As well as taking part in regular group work, children remain part of their mainstream class and are usually resettled after three to four terms.