Inclusive and Nurturing Schools

Total Investment: £3 million over three years

We know that children are safer in school. We know those excluded, suspended or regularly absent from school are more vulnerable to becoming victims or perpetrators of violence and exploitation. We also know that negative healthy relationships behaviours and attitudes can be a risk factor for exclusion and gender-based violence.

The VRU is committed to supporting schools that are determined to meet children’s personal and educational needs. That starts with schools where children feel safe, have good relationships with their teachers and peers and feel a sense of belonging.

The VRU is funding charities nurtureuk and Tender to deliver whole-school approaches to nurture and promote healthy relationships for three school years. Nurture is an evidence-based relational approach rooted in attachment theory. Nurture approaches supports school staff to implement positive and inclusive school cultures and helps children and families form good relationships with school. Healthy relationships education is important both for students, school staff as well as parents and carers. VRU funding provides whole-school healthy relationships education and training, as well as tailored small-group workshops for children. 

The programme supports the VRU's overarching policy to champion and support inclusive practices in schools through London's Inclusion Charter (more below). 

The Inclusive and Nurturing Schools programme is being delivered in 66 primary and secondary schools across seven London Boroughs: Hackney, Croydon, Enfield, Greenwich, Islington, Hammersmith and Fulham, Barking and Dagenham.

Since 2023:

• 10,300 children participated in healthy relationships sessions

• 3,400 of these participated in small-group, tailored healthy relationships workshops

• 2,800 teachers and safeguarding professionals as well as 1,000 parents have been upskilled about healthy relationships education.