Emotional Literacy Support Assistants (ELSA)
What is it?
The ELSA project is a five-day training programme aiming to enable support staff to develop emotional literacy interventions for pupils within the school. Staff attend training days and group supervision sessions led by Educational Psychologists. Upon completion of the training, a new role is created within the school and the member of staff has an additional new title: Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA).
What are the benefits?
Staff will receive training in planning and delivering programmes of support to pupils in their school who are experiencing temporary or longer term additional emotional needs. The majority of ELSA support is expected to be delivered on an individual basis, but sometimes some small group work will be appropriate, especially in the areas of social skills.
Who can join the training?
Teaching Assistants, SEN Assistants, Learning Mentors, Family Liaison Workers
Is it effective?
Research demonstrated improvements in pupils’
- Attitude and emotional literacy skills
- School engagement and attendance
- Social skills, social behaviour and friendships
- Self-awareness and self-esteem
- Motivation and concentration
Time commitment to work as an ELSA
- Five full-day training sessions delivered by EPs during the autumn term 2025 and spring term 2026, followed by two half-termly supervision slots at which point they will be registered as an ELSA in Haringey
- After the initial registration, ELSAs should continue to attend group supervision to maintain registration as an ELSA in Haringey
Costing and registration
- With EPS subscription - £300 for 1 member of staff
- Without EPS subscription - £750 for 2 members of staff
This includes:
- Six-days training plus 2 terms of half-termly follow up supervision for the first academic year
- Registration in December 2026 plus one year's small group supervision from 2026-2027
Venue: TBC
Time: 9.30am - 3.15pm
Dates:
Session 1: Wednesday 12th November 2025
Session 2: Wednesday 26th November 2025
Session 3: Wednesday 10th December 2025
Session 4: Wednesday 14th January 2026
Session 5: Wednesday 28th January 2026
Deadline to book 24th October 2024
