Nurture

How we select children for the Nurture Class

• The Nurture Class provides a secure base for children presenting with social emotional and mental health difficulties (SEMH). SEMH difficulties can sometimes be accompanied by other issues such as special educational and disability needs (SEND), safe-guarding and English as an additional language (EAL).Children are not identified as needing to attend the nurture class solely on the basis of SEND or EAL needs.
• The nurture class is staffed by one full-time teacher and one teaching assistant who work closely together. The class runs for 4.5 days per week, with 0.5 of a day set aside for PPA; attending training; meeting with parents etc.The nurture class can have a minimum of 7 children and a maximum of 10 children on roll.
• Early identification of children presenting with SEMH is important, therefore, the Nurture Staff meet with the Reception and Year 1 teachers during the summer term to discuss any children for whom they may have concerns. Additionally, the special educational needs and disability co-ordinator (SENDCO), members of the SLT or the learning mentor, may refer children who would benefit from attending the nurture class.This may happen as and when the need arises throughout the school year.
• When a child is identified as a potential nurture child, the class teacher (along with any other staff in the class) and the nurture staff will carry out observations of the child at different times to find out if the child meets the criteria for attending the nurture class. The observations should give a picture of how the child is functioning in his mainstream class and whether or not the child would benefit from attending the nurture class. The observations should indicate e.g. whether the child is engaged in learning; interacting with his / her peers or adults in the class; following instructions; observing the expected boundaries to keep him / her and other children safe; is withdrawn or demanding considerably more attention than his / her peers. Followingthis, a decision is made as to whether the child should stay in the mainstream class with suggested strategies or obtain further support from the SENDCO. If the child is considered as a possible pupil for the nurture class, then the class teacher and nurture staff complete a referral form and Boxall assessment form. If the Boxall assessment confirms that the child is not meeting some of the developmental and diagnostic norms, then steps will be taken to admit him / her to the nurture class when a space is available.
• Parental consent is sought in order for a child to attend the nurture class. The nurture staff arrange a meeting with the prospective child’s parents / carer(s) to tell them about the nurture routines and how it benefits children; to gain parental consent; to gather information about the child and to inform them about the reintegration process and their right to consent before this occurs.
• Because transitions and endings are important in the nurture class, children have a leaving party on reintegration.