ELSA - Emotional Literacy Support Assistance

Welcome to the Emotional Literacy Support Assistance (ELSA) Page

An ELSA is a specialist teaching assistant with a wealth of experience in working with children. ELSAs are trained and regularly supervised by the Educational Psychologists from RBWM enabling them to plan and deliver programmes of support to pupils who are experiencing temporary or longer-term additional emotional needs.

An ELSA is a warm and caring person who wants to help your child feel happy in school and reach their potential. Their aim is to remove any barriers to learning that may arise by supporting pupils to regulate their own emotions, whilst also respecting others around them.

We are lucky enough to have 5 qualified Emotional Literacy Support Assistants at St Edward’s. The majority of ELSA work is delivered on an individual basis, but sometimes small group work is more appropriate, especially in areas of social/friendship skills. Sessions are fun and we use a range of activities such as games, role-play with puppets, or arts and crafts.

ELSA sessions take place in our Rainbow Room, which provides a calm, safe space for the children to feel supported and nurtured.

In ELSA, we aim to provide support for a wide range of emotional needs including:
• Loss and bereavement
• Self–esteem
• Social Skills
• Emotions
• Friendship issues
• Relationships
• Anger management
• Behaviour
• Anxiety
• Bullying
• Conflict
• Relaxation techniques

More information about ELSA support can be found at: www.elsa-support.co.uk 

ELSA Leaflet for Parents & Carers

Social and Emotional Wellbeing support links for Parents & Carers:
https://www.healthyyoungmindslsc.co.uk/information/family-and-carers 
Healthy Young Minds has a wealth of resources and guidance available for both parents/guardians and children.

Mental Health Support Team Leaflet

https://www.annafreud.org/media/11459/7waysanxiety.pdf 
Strategies for broaching worry and anxiety with children and young people.

https://www.daisysdream.org.uk/                                                                                                                             

Daisy’s Dream is a charity that supports children and their families who have been affected by the life-threatening illness or bereavement of someone close to them.

https://www.youngminds.org.uk/ 

YoungMinds are a mental health charity for children, young people and their parents, making sure every young person gets the mental health support they need, when they need it, no matter what.