Emotional Literacy Support Assistants (ELSA)
What is it?
The ELSA project is a six-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
- Six full-day training sessions delivered by EPs during the spring and summer term 2023, 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
- Each school can send up to 2 members of staff for £870. This includes:
- Six-days training plus 2 terms of half-termly follow up supervision for the first academic year
- Registration in December 2024 plus one year's small group supervision until December 2025
- Optional attendance at morning ELSA workshop June 2025
Venue: Welbourne Primary School, N15 4EA
Time: 9- 3.15pm
Dates:
Session 1: Wednesday 20th September 2023
Session 2: Wednesday 11th October 2023
Session 3: Wednesday 15th November 2023
Session 4: Wednesday 17th January 2024
Session 5: Wednesday 7th Februrary 2024
Session 6: Wednesday 28th Februrary 2024 (SENCos also invited that afternoon)