Previous research exploring the causative risk factors of youth violence have determined that a combination of individual, relationship, community and societal factors contribute to the occurrence of this complex phenomenon. Viable solutions must address all of these levels to be effective and to sustainably prevent instances of youth violence. Nurture practice is an evidence-based solution that has been shown to effectively identify and address the social, emotional and mental health needs of young people in schools -- thereby reducing distressed behaviour and exclusions -- and increasing wellbeing. This study uses a focus group methodology to collect the observations of project leaders from schools actively engaged in the nurtureuk Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) programmes, piloted in London, and in Kent and Medway, to gain insight into their experiences of the programme at its mid-point, and to assess implementation progress and effectiveness. Thematic analysis of the transcribed narrative accounts indicate that the range and structure of programme offer is meeting the needs of participating schools and that some positive impacts have been observed on the ground. These results suggest that nurture practice may be well placed to offer a viable and sustainable model for preventing exclusions, thereby reducing instances of youth violence.