Whole School Approaches to Nurture

This contract will deliver a programme of accredited, evidence-based training and consultancy support to mainstream primary and secondary schools in Kent, to enable them to establish and embed Whole School Approaches to Nurture.

The concept of ‘nurture’ in an education setting is built on the principle that all behaviour is a form of communication, and that by focussing on the root causes of presenting behaviours (which may appear challenging), responses can be better adapted to improve outcomes for individual children and young people, both academically and emotionally. There is a broad evidence-base outlining the efficacy of Nurture models, which can lead to improved emotional wellbeing, engagement in education and reduced exclusions, particularly for children and young people with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs. Through focussing on a whole-school approach to Nurture, the service will aim to improve the social and emotional wellbeing of all children and young people in participating schools, with specific focus on improving a range of outcomes for children and young people with SEMH needs.

The offer to schools will involve training and on-going consultancy support in implementing both whole-school approaches and targeted Nurture provision for those with more significant SEMH needs. It will also include providing schools with a complementary accredited tool to measure pupils' emotional wellbeing, and offering training and support to schools in applying the tool successfully throughout the programme.