ELSAs are emotional literacy support assistants. They are teaching assistants who have had special training from educational psychologists to support the emotional development of children and young people in school. ELSAs have regular professional supervision from educational psychologists to help them in their work. ELSAs help children and young people learn to understand their emotions and respect the feelings of those around them. They provide the time and space for pupils to think about their personal circumstances and how they manage them.
Our ELSAs can help with:
Loss and bereavement
Self-esteem
Social Skills
Emotions
Friendship issues
Relationships
Anger Management
Anxiety
Conflict
Relaxation Techniques
There will always be children and young people in school facing life challenges that detract from their ability to engage with learning, and some will require greater support to increase their emotional literacy than others. When our pupils find themselves struggling and encounter difficulties with their emotional health our ELSAs will be there to listen, provide additional TLC and support them. To do this they plan and deliver programmes of support, and these can be delivered on an individual basis, but sometimes small group work is more appropriate, especially in the areas of social and friendship skills. Sessions are fun and we use a range of activities such as: games, role-play with puppets or arts and craft. ELSA sessions take place in our very own ‘ELSA/ Intervention room’ which provides a calm, safe space for the pupil to feel supported and nurtured.
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