ELSA

Emotional Literacy Support Assistance

Hello and welcome to our school ELSA page!

I am pleased to be able to share information with parents about Emotional Literacy Support on the school website. On this page, we aim to post ideas and helpful advice on how you can help your child; for example in areas such as empathy, self-esteem or perhaps to pick up some tips about calming techniques. Parents and carers will be able to find out about recommended books that may be useful and links to other websites for some self-help at home

Mrs Phillips, ELSA, Westminster Community Primary School.

What is ELSA?

There will always be children and young people in schools facing life challenges that detract from their ability to engage with learning. Some will require greater support to increase their emotional literacy. ELSA is an initiative developed and supported by educational psychologists. It recognises that children learn better and are happier in school if their emotional needs are secure.

Here at Westminster Community Primary School we have a qualified Emotional Literacy Support Assistant - Mrs Phillips. She has trained with Educational Psychologists to plan and deliver programmes of support to pupils who are experiencing additional emotional needs. ELSA work can be on an individual basis, or small group. Sessions can include a range of activities such as games, role-play with puppets or therapeutic activities such as mindfulness or arts and craft. 

ELSA sessions provide support for a wide range of emotional needs: 

Recognising emotions

Self-esteem

Social skills

Friendship skills

Anger management

Loss and bereavement
 

How does ELSA work?

A 6-8 week programme is delivered to support the child/children in their area or areas of need. Children will work on developing and managing independent strategies and skills that they can use in all areas of their life effectively.

Supporting - not fixing

It is important to remember that ELSAs are not there to fix children's problems. What we can do is provide emotional support.

We aim to establish a warm, respectful relationship with a pupil and to provide a reflective space where they are able to share honestly their thoughts and feelings.

Change is not always achieved within the 6-8 weeks, it is dependent upon the context and complexity of the presenting issues. For children with complex or long-term needs it is unrealistic to expect ELSA intervention to resolve all their difficulties, however support will target the specific aspects of a child's need. Training and development of ELSAs is an ongoing process and wisdom is required to recognise when issues are beyond the level of expertise of an ELSA. In these cases, school supports parents with referrals for specialist support. Mrs Phillips has regular supervision with the Educational Psychologist team. They are able to offer advice on suitability or nature of ELSA involvement in complex cases.

You can look at some of the resources we use on this website ELSA page.