ELSA
Emotional Literacy Support Assistant
An ELSA is an Emotional Literacy Support Assistant, and has had specialist training from Educational Psychologists to support the emotional development of the children and young people within school.
The ELSA within Hunstanton Primary School is our Pastoral Support Worker
Mrs Houchen.
An ELSA has regular professional supervision from Educational Psychologists to help them in their work.
ELSA’s help children and young people to develop emotional literacy 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.
What is emotional literacy?
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Understanding and coping with feelings about others and ourselves.
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Developing good levels of self-esteem and positive interactions with others.
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Being emotionally literate helps children focus better on their learning.
Some of the areas that ELSAs may work on are:
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Emotional awareness
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Self-esteem
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Social skills
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Friendships and relationships
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Growth mind-set
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Independence
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Anger
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Anxiety
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Loss and bereavement
How does the ELSA work?
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Classroom staff will refer the child into ELSA as and when necessary. There will sometimes be a waiting list for ELSA support.
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You will be informed if your child is referred for ELSA sessions.
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Sessions take place during a regular slot in the school week for 30-40 minutes, for a period of 6 weeks.
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Sessions can be individual or in small groups and tailored to the child’s individual needs.
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Sessions are fun and might include role-play, games, art and craft, and stories.
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Sessions include time to talk.
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The pupil’s needs will be assessed before sessions begin, and again at the end of the 6 weeks.
As a parent/carer, how can you help?
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By informing your child’s class teacher/school if there are any issues that may be affecting your child.
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Occasionally resources that are used in the sessions may be sent home with your child. You could help by talking through these with your child.