Educational Psychology Service Nurture Programme

Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA) Training

The ELSA Project is an initiative designed to help schools meet the needs of emotionally vulnerable pupils from within their own resources. It was originally developed in Southampton by Sheila Burton, Educational Psychologist. ELSAs are trained to plan and deliver programmes of support to children identified within the school as likely to benefit from additional help to increase their emotional literacy; such as raising their self-esteem, manage their emotions, improve peer relationships. Children and young people learn better in school if their emotional needs are met. ELSA training is being piloted in Buckinghamshire this year for learning support assistants working in primary or secondary schools.

Dates:4 days between 23.01.17 – 27.02.17 (9:15 – 15:15)

Venue:Green Park Conference Centre, Aston Clinton, HP22 5NE

Cost: £60 Buckinghamshire Maintained/Academy/Free Schools

£350 Independent/Out County Schools

Cost includes: 4 days training, Refreshments/lunch/training materials

Supervision sessions academic year 2016 - 2017

Day 1: Monday 23rd January 2017
Understanding Emotional Literacy
The Role of the ELSA / 9:15 – 15:15
Introduction to Emotional Literacy in Schools
The role of ELSAs; implementing the ELSA training successfully in schools (with Line Managers)
Day 2: Monday 30th January 2017
Developing subject knowledge
Intervention Techniques / 9:15 – 15:15
Building Resilience and Self-esteem
Managing emotions
Introduction to group work
Day 3: Monday 6th February 2017
Developing subject knowledge
Intervention Techniques / 9:15 – 15:15
Social and friendship skills; an introduction to social communication difficulties
Using Social Stories and Therapeutic Stories
Day 4: Monday 27th February 2017
Safeguarding:
Intervention Techniques / 9:15 – 15:15
Safeguarding Level 1-2
Active listening and reflective conversations

Schools are asked to agree to a number of commitments in order to ensure that ELSA’s work can be optimally effective in school. Head teachers are asked to register their commitment as part of the training application below. Schools which have a trained ELSA, who regularly participates in supervision and runs interventions in the school, can describe themselves as an ELSA registered school. The ELSA’s line manager will also attend one afternoon of training.

ELSA Training Application Form (please return by November 25th 2016)

ELSAs will need:

  • Scheduled time to plan and work with identified children
  • An appropriate room to work in
  • Access to appropriate resources/material for use with C/YP
  • Assistance from a nominated member of senior staff to clarify and enable the ELSA role in the school context
  • Line management
  • Release from school to undertake initial training and regular ELSA support and development meetings (supervision)
  • To agree to observation from a member of the Nurture/ELSA team to maintain retention on the Buckinghamshire ELSA register

We wish to participate in the ELSA programme and agree to the terms outlined above.

Name of school: Name of ELSA to be trained:

Head teacher: Head teacher signature: Date:

For delegate to complete:
Please use the space below to explain how you hope to use your ELSA training in school.
Signature of ELSA Trainee: Date:

We are able to offer to be a venue for future group support and development sessions: YES/NO

Tomake an application please return completed form to