At nurtureuk, our mission has always been to break down the barriers to learning by prioritising social and emotional development. We’ve long seen the transformative power of nurture in the classroom, but new independent data now provides even more robust evidence of why this work is so vital.

We are pleased to share the findings from the RSM Department of Education: Outcome based research into the current and future impact of Nurture Provision in Northern Ireland (July 2025). This comprehensive study confirms that the combination of nurture provision and the Boxall Profile® assessment leads to "substantial improvements" for children and young people's social, behavioural, emotional, and academic outcomes.

The numbers speak for themselves

The report analysed the progress of pupils across the 2023/24 academic year, and the results are a testament to the hard work of practitioners across the country:

  • 90% success Rate: 9 in 10 pupils who received nurture support demonstrated an improved Boxall Profile®.
  • Significant growth: Average scores for Developmental strands (i.e. for positive attitudes and behaviours) surged by +29.41 points, showing a massive boost in emotional resilience.
  • Breaking barriers: Diagnostic scores, which track the internalised and externalised behaviours that can hinder learning, dropped by an average of -24.12 points.

A ripple effect across the Whole School

One of the most powerful takeaways from the RSM report is that the impact of nurture isn't confined to the Nurture Room. When nurture and the Boxall Profile® are used to target support effectively, the benefits are felt by everyone:

“Research evidence shows this should lead to a reduction in challenging behaviour and improved educational outcomes for the individual, their base class and the whole school.” 

(Nolan et al., 2021; Cefai and Cooper, 2017; Department for Education in England (DfE), 2024).

By helping pupils learn to regulate their emotions, nurture creates calmer classroom environments. This reduces the pressure on staff and increases the time teachers can spend teaching the rest of the class, rather than managing individual crises.

Closing the gap

The research also highlighted that nurture effectively helps those with the highest level of need "catch up." Pupils who required longer-term support (three terms) often started with the lowest scores but, by the end of their journey, achieved scores similar to their peers. Whether it’s an older pupil seeing a dramatic reduction in challenging behaviour or a younger child building the confidence to engage, nurture works.

A proven investment

As the report concludes, the scale of impact has remained consistent over the last four years. The substantial improvement in Boxall Profile® scores is a primary driver for a high social return on investment, proving that nurture is not just a "nice to have," but an essential foundation for academic and personal success.

Experience the benefits yourself: Start your free trial

We invite you to start a 30-day free trial of the Boxall Profile® Online to see how it can enhance the outcomes and pupil wellbeing in your setting. This trial offers a hands-on opportunity to explore its features and understand how it can be customised to meet the diverse needs of your students.

Join thousands of professionals who are making a tangible difference in the lives of children, supporting the social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) of all children and young people, to positively impact their learning, behaviour, attendance, and wellbeing.

Start your free trial now and unlock the potential in every child with the Boxall Profile® Online.