Nurturing Kent Programme
We are currently delivering the Nurturing Kent Programme which has been commissioned by Kent County Council, to support inclusion in schools by creating and celebrating a whole-school nurturing approach.
During this three-year programme, we are working with 300 mainstream primary and secondary schools across the county to develop their policies and practices to be more inclusive. The programme is bespoke to each school, and it is celebrating what schools already do well, and champion schools to improve in areas that need it, with regular guidance and support.
The journey is as big or as small as a school needs it to be to suit their needs and works to ensure that pupils, parents, staff and all other stakeholders understand the principles of nurture, and how they can contribute to a successful and happy school. Our aim is to support schools however they need it so that every child will have access to an education that accepts them for who they are and allows them to thrive both academically and socially.
What do schools get as part of the package?
Each school joining the programme are enrolled in our National Nurturing Schools Programme (NNSP). The NNSP is an 18-month journey, with each school developing a bespoke whole-school approach to embed a nurturing culture. It supports Quality First Teaching and Learning and promotes healthy outcomes for children and young people, focusing on social and emotional needs and development alongside academic learning.
Each school has access to our mental health assessment tool, the Boxall Profile® Online for the duration of the programme, with thorough Boxall Profile® training to support its use across the school.
Schools also receive attachment and nurture group training in how to set up and run a Boxall Nurture Group®, to nurtureuk recognised, and externally evaluated and accredited standards. All schools have the opportunity to attend regular networking events to discuss best practice, and also attend expert-led webinars discussing topics most pertinent to the needs of Kent pupils, as voted for by schools.
Schools are receiving publications and resources designed to support the development of their own bespoke approach, and support them on the journey to creating their own sustainable, bespoke nurturing approach.
At the end of the 18-month programme, all schools will receive a complimentary one-year membership to nurtureuk for continued support in creating a sustainable future.
Why is Kent County Council investing in nurturing approaches for the whole country?
Nurtureuk have been working with schools in Kent for a number of years to support inclusive education through a nurturing approach. A rigorous and broad look at what works to support vulnerable pupils in Kentish schools, coupled with the Timpson Review and the Department for Education's survey of mental health support in schools has led Kent County Council to recognise that nurturing approaches, with their rigorous evidence base, ground swell of support and outcomes in schools are a great investment to support inclusion in education. Their County Wide Approach to Inclusion or CATIE report, acknowledged the importance of nurture.
As a result of this report, a tendering process was designed which nurtureuk took part in. This six month process culminated in nurtureuk being commissioned to lead this 3-year programme.
If you have any questions or would like further information about the programme, please contact [email protected].
