Emotional Literacy Support
What is ELSA?
An Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA) is a specialist learning support assistant with a wealth of experience working with children.
An ELSA is a warm and caring person who gives further to help your child feel happy in school and to reach their full potential educationally. The aim is to remove the barriers to learning and to have happy children in school and home.
The majority of ELSA work is delivered on an individual basis, but sometimes small group work is more appropriate, especially in the areas of social and friendship skills. Sessions will take place in our very own ‘ELSA room’ which provides a calm, safe space for children to feel supported and nurtured.
We are lucky enough to have one qualified Emotional Literacy Support Assistant at Wickhambrook Primary Academy –Mrs Lorraine Jolland. She has been trained, and is regularly supervised by Educational Psychologists in the Local education authority, to plan and deliver interventions of support to pupils who are experiencing temporary or longer term additional emotional needs.
How does ELSA work?
Children are usually referred to ELSA by their class teacher, Senior Leaders or the SENCo who will then discuss the referral forms to identify and prioritise which children require a weekly intervention for the next 6-8 weeks. We then plan support sessions to facilitate the pupil in developing new skills and coping strategies that allow them to manage social and emotional demands more effectively.
Remember – ELSAs are not there to fix children’s problems. They provide emotional support within a warm, respectful relationship with a pupil. It provides a reflective space where children are able to share honestly their thoughts and feelings.
In ELSA we aim to provide support for a wide range of emotional needs:
- Recognising emotions
- Self-esteem
- Social skill
- Friendship skills
- Anger management
- Loss and bereavement
- Anxiety
- Bullying
- Behaviour
You can find further information and guidance about ELSA in the attachments section on this page.
The ELSA Support website also provides some free activities to do at home. Please follow the link below (the website will be opened in a new browser tab).