What is an ELSA?

ELSAs are Emotional Literacy Support Assistants who have had special training from educational psychologists to support the emotional development of children and young people in school. ​

ELSAs are warm, kind and caring people who want to make children and young people feel happy in school and to reach their potential socially, emotionally and academically. They understand the barriers to learning that some children and young people might have and can help them with this.​

They can support the children and young person’s emotional development and help them cope with life’s challenges. ELSAs will also help children and young people to find solutions to problems they might have.​

An ELSA is not there to fix problems but to help them find their own solutions and offer that important support to a child or young person​.

What can an ELSA help with?

• Loss and bereavement​

• Emotional Literacy and self-esteem​

• Social Skills​

• Friendship issues and relationships​

• Managing strong feelings and problem-solving​

• Anxiety and worries​

• Bullying and Conflict​

• Emotional Regulation​

• Growth Mindset​

• Social and therapeutic stories