Cuts hit life-changing 'nurture groups' for children

A new report

Ofsted praises "grow" groups for their life changing work. So why are so many closing

"People are very nice to me here and learn to do good things for people," said Jamie eight years. "I am pleased to come here and laugh more. It makes me feel calm, "said seven-year, Alice.

The boys talk about the time spent in the education group at school Hayesdown First, in Frome, Somerset. The food group is a class of eight to 12 children, separated from other classes, and designed to give care and attention to children who have difficulties because of problems at home, bereavement, abuse or other difficulties. Among the group of food learn social skills such as listening, sharing and taking turns and gives them the care they need to improve their self-esteem. In most of these groups of children stay for a maximum of four terms and then reintegrated into the classroom.

A report on the Ofsted has now found that the groups of early intervention can have a "very important and far-reaching" impact on children who might otherwise be at risk of losing their way at school, behavior problems or exclusion.

"Growing support groups to help the most vulnerable children in the country," said the chief inspector of Ofsted Miriam Rosen. "Well planned, rigorous intervention that focuses on academic and social progress, emotional and behavioral problems can make a big difference in the lives of children who might otherwise be left behind."

And yet, when he praised the successful Ofsted feeding groups and Graham Allen MP calls for more spending on early intervention, about 100 breeding groups have already closed this year due to funding cuts.

A survey by the Group of parenting Network (NGN) found that 87 were closed, while others work fewer hours or are threatened with closure.

Some groups are funded to feed their local authorities. Some schools use their own budgets, while others receive charitable donations

Millinship Hannah, executive assistant in NGN, he said. "Some of these groups were told very little and there was little time for them to find alternative sources of supply"

groups

parents need their own kind and dedicated staff, trained, and usually costs about £ 50 000 per year to run, but the national director of the NGN, Irene Grant believes are profitable . "In these times of economic constraints, research has shown that nutrition is one of the most cost-effective early intervention for young people with a range of social, emotional and behavior," he said. "Graham Allen MP talks about the importance of early intervention. With parent groups, we can make these children so quickly if you get them at an early age."

Grant points to figures from the London Borough of Enfield, the price of running a place in a group is to promote 5.500 pounds per child per year - three times less the full-time support of local authorities.

Grant hopes that things will improve with more schools applying for the status of the Academy and receive more funding. "In theory, this should be good news for parent groups, and schools have more money and more flexibility," he said. "We found that schools that run quickly recognize his courage and fighting tooth and nail to keep them," he said.

Glasgow City Council is committed to protect 69 breeding groups that fund, although he made cuts in other areas, and even wants to launch the plan for kindergartens and schools.

In Scotland, all breeding groups are led by a teacher and a teaching assistant. In England and Wales, the model is slightly different. Sometimes they are led by a teacher, but sometimes by two teaching assistants, making them a little cheaper. The group of school education Hayesdown hard at first for four afternoons a week and is fully funded by the school budget.

director, Liz Stokes, said: "I love racing full time, but can not afford initially difficult to convince other staff that meant taking two accompanying teachers . outside the classroom. But if I tried to get rid of it now, there would be no protest. It is vital for the child and also contributes to other classes because it gives them a break, because some of these children can be a challenge. "

• The group, which was founded seven years ago, has 12 children aged between four and nine, and each session follows a rigid routine. "This means no surprises, making it very safe and secure for them," said Clara Kennedy, who heads the group.
• At the end of the session, all the children set the table and eat together so they can have a "typical family experience."

Denise
Bultitude, Assistant Group Leader, said. "We have children who do not even have a table in the house and never sit at a dining table, so it is very strange for them"

Many of these children are unable to make simple, social interaction, so that the group begins with an exercise called "stand and greet" where the children take turns to go to another child and shake hands and say hello.
"basic things such as reading facial expressions are very difficult for some children, so the practice of making faces angry and happy faces. Many of these children are happy or sad. Life is very black and white for them. Some children are removed, some have very low self-confidence and self-esteem, and others behave aggressively. "A child is in care and five are in the folder protection children, Kennedy said.