Who Emotional Literacy Support Assistants work with, ELSA training for professionals, and a list of registered schools.
Emotional Literacy Support Assistant
An Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA) is a trained, school based learning support assistant. Their role is to support the emotional wellbeing of pupils. They are trained by a team of educational psychologists and receive ongoing group supervision.
Who ELSAs work with
ELSAs work with children and young people either individually or in small groups and deliver bespoke interventions tailored to the presenting situation or need. The role of the ELSA is to develop children and young people's:
- emotional literacy
- positive mental health
- social skills
- emotional wellbeing
The role of an ELSA can vary dependent on age, school stage and situation.
ELSA training
All ELSAs have 6 days of initial training covering:
- emotional literacy including building resilience and self-esteem
- managing emotions including anger and anxiety
- social and friendship skills
- loss, bereavement and family break up
As well as skills development in:
- social and therapeutic stories
- motivational interviewing
- active listening, conversation skills
ELSAs attend ongoing group supervision (6 times a year) to:
- safeguard practice
- develop their skills
Schools with an ELSA
These schools have an ELSA:
- Ashley Down Primary
- Ashton Vale Primary
- Badminton School
- Bannerman Road Community School
- Bishop Road Primary
- Blaise High School
- Blaise Primary
- Brentry
- Bridge Farm
- Bristol Brunel Academy
- Bristol Cathedral School
- Bristol Free School
- Bristol Metropolitan Academy
- Broomhill Infant
- Brunel Field Primary
- Cathedral Primary School
- Chester Park Infant School
- Chester Park Junior
- Christ Church CEVC
- Compass Point
- Cotham
- Fair Furlong
- Fairfield High School
- Filton Avenue Primary
- Fonthill Primary Academy
- Glenfrome Primary
- Hannah Moore Primary
- Henleaze Infant
- Henleaze Junior
- Holy Cross
- Horfield Primary
- Hotwells Primary
- Little Mead
- LPW
- Luckwell Primary
- May Park
- New Fosseway
- Notton House
- Oasis Academy Brightstowe
- Oasis Academy Brislington
- Oasis Academy Connaught
- Oasis Academy Marksbury Road
- Oasis Academy New Oak
- Our Lady of the Rosary
- Parson Street Primary
- Snowdon Village
- Southville
- St Bedes
- St Johns
- St Matthias Park
- St Teresas
- St Werburghs
- Stoke Park Primary
- Two Mile Hill Primary School
- Upper Horfield Community
- Victoria Park Primary
- West Town Lane
- Westbury Park
- Willow Park
Evidence base
There is an increasing evidence base for the effectiveness of ELSA with outcomes relating to:
- staff and student self-efficacy beliefs
- emotional literacy development
- emotional wellbeing
- academic progress
- parental engagement
Further information about ELSA including details of research can be found at on the ELSA network website Go to http://www.elsanetwork.org (opens new window).
For more information or to express an interest in having an ELSA at your school email tradingwithschools@bristol.gov.uk
