Emotional Literacy Support Assistants
Information about Emotional Literacy Support Assistant intervention and list of registered schools.
Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA)
An Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA) is a trained, school based learning support assistant. Their role is to support the emotional wellbeing of pupils. They are trained by a team of Educational Psychologists and receive ongoing group supervision.
Who ELSAs work with
ELSAs work with children and young people either individually or in small groups and deliver bespoke interventions tailored to the presenting situation or need. The role of the ELSA is to develop children and young people’s:
- emotional literacy
- positive mental health
- social skills
- emotional wellbeing
The role of an ELSA can vary dependent on age, school stage and situation.
ELSA training
All ELSAs have 6 days of initial training covering:
- emotional literacy including building resilience and self-esteem
- managing emotions including anger and anxiety
- social and friendship skills
- loss, bereavement and family break up
As well as skills development in:
- social and therapeutic stories
- motivational interviewing
- active listening, conversation skills
ELSAs attend ongoing group supervision (6 times a year,) to safeguard practice and continually develop their skills.
Schools with an ELSA
These schools in North East Lincolnshire have an ELSA:
- Bursar Primary Academy
- East Ravendale Primary Academy
- Fairfield Academy
- Grange Primary School
- Great Coates Primary School
- Littlecoates Primary Academy
- Queen Mary School Grimsby
- St Mary’s Catholic Primary School Grimsby
- Stanford Junior and Infant School
- Western Primary Resource Base – Broadening Horizons
- Old Clee Primary Academy
- Thrunscoe Primary and Nursery Academy
- Pilgrim Academy
- Western Primary School
- Holton Le Clay Junior School
- Tetney Primary School
- Oasis Academy Immingham
- Healing Primary Academy
- Woodlands Academy
- Oasis Academy Wintringham
- Scartho Infants’ School and Nursery
- Elliston Primary Academy
- Humberston Cloverfields Academy
Evidence base
There is an increasing evidence base for the effectiveness of ELSA with outcomes relating to:
- staff and student self-efficacy beliefs
- emotional literacy development
- emotional wellbeing
- academic progress
- parental engagement
Further information
Further information about ELSA including details of research can be found on the ELSA network website .
For more information or to express an interest in having an ELSA at your school email us at [email protected].
Contact details
Educational Psychology Service, Civic Offices, Knoll Street, Cleethorpes, North East Lincolnshire, DN35 8LN
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 01472 323183
Opening times: Monday to Friday 9am to 4:30pm, except bank holidays