Cultivating connection: a study of nurture group impact, practices, and pathways to success

Abstract

Background: A Nurture Group (NG) is a school-based group intervention to support social, emotional and behavioural needs. Despite increased implementation, there is a critical lack of published data on the conditions, practices and effectiveness of NGs in the Republic of Ireland.

Aims: This research seeks to address this gap by examining the perspectives of Nurture Practitioners (NPs) to identify the impact of NGs to support children's social-emotional development, and key strategies and conditions contributing to success. This study further seeks to investigate common characteristics and practices of NGs in Irish primary schools to establish fidelity to the original NG model.

Methods: The study used a mixed-methods concurrent embedded design. Qualitative individual semi-structured interviews were used to gather information from NPs about the perceived effectiveness of NGs and the strategies and approaches associated with success. An online quantitative questionnaire was designed to gather information about the characteristics and practices of NGs in Irish primary schools. The questionnaire data was analysed for descriptive statistics and reflexive thematic analysis was applied to the interview data.

Sample: The questionnaire was completed by 61 NPs, who were SNAs, teachers or school principals with experience of working in a NG in a primary school in the Republic of Ireland. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 of these NPs.

Results and Conclusions: Five central themes were identified in relation to the impact of NGs for social-emotional development, as well as key processes and factors associated with success. Findings provide a compelling overview of current approaches, practices and areas for development in Irish NGs, representing the first systematic collection of data on NGs in the Republic of Ireland and contributing to the development of effective strategies to support children's psychological well-being in Irish primary schools.