To ask the Minister of Education what plans his Department has to review and reform nurture units, with a view to potential expansion and better integration and pathways into the schools system.

My Department currently provides funding for 31 Nurture Groups (NGs). In my previous tenure as Education Minister, I gave a commitment that the Department would continue to fund these particular groups until a decision on a new Nurture Programme was made. This remains the position.

The Department commissioned Queens University, Belfast to undertake an evaluation report on the impacts and cost effectiveness of the 31 NGs funded by DE. The report demonstrated clear evidence that NGs are a successful intervention to support the needs of children with particular social and emotional needs.

https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/education/Nurture%20QUB%20Full%20Evaluation%20Report%20.pdf

These positive findings were also reflected in a separate qualitative evaluation carried out by the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI).

https://www.etini.gov.uk/sites/etini.gov.uk/files/publications/an-evaluation-of-the-nurture-unit-signature-project-pilot_0.PDF

To assist in the integration of the nurturing approach into the schools system the EA commenced a capacity building programme “Whole School Nurturing Approaches (WSNA)” in September 2018, which is open to all primary schools. This programme involves awareness and support for school staff on Nurturing Approaches, leading to more targeted training on Attachment, Resilience, and Nurturing Principles and Practice.

I will be considering the future of the Nurture Programme in schools in due course, including the option of extending provision.