Pastoral Support
ELSA support at Stanmore Primary School
The ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant) intervention was designed to enable schools to support the emotional needs of their pupils from within the school. This is achieved by training staff to develop and deliver individualised or group support programmes to meet the emotional needs of children in their care. It recognises that children learn better and are happier in school if their emotional needs are also addressed.
What exactly is ELSA?
The ELSA intervention uses a variety of tailored strategies to empower children to solve their own problems. This helps to build the child’s resilience and “bounce back-ability” from setbacks, thus enabling them to cope better when things don’t go as planned.ELSA support is about developing a respectful relationship in which the young person is enabled to think about their situation without feeling judged or criticised. It is intended to be short-term purposeful support, usually to help develop new skills or coping strategies that enable the pupil to experience greater success.
How can ELSA support my child?
Emotional Literacy Support involves the identification of specific emotional literacy targets from issues including, but not exclusively, loss and bereavement, anger management, anxiety and friendship issues. The pupil will work through these targets guided by the ELSA, using a carefully planned programme of support. The programme might include a variety of mediums including art, drama, crafts, games or simply talking and listening.
How are referrals made?
ELSA referrals can be made by parents, carers and teachers to Mrs Jenny Fenton (Inclusion Lead) who will then work alongside the ELSA to ensure that the children’s needs are identified and met.
What type of support is available?
In Stanmore Primary School, there are four main strands of support for the children:
The Worry Box, which can be accessed by every child within the school. Any worries are usually responded to within the week by the ELSA. Around 10 children each week who are not on specific ELSA programmes receive support through the Worry Box.
Using the Worry Box and monthly 1:1 check in with ELSA.
Regular referral-based small groups such as super powers, which use mindfulness techniques and coping strategies to address any anxieties.
Weekly referral-based 1:1 sessions with the ELSA.Currently, there are approximately 17 children that receive either 1:1 or group support whilst at least 10 children are responded to and supported via the worry box.
What happens when ELSA support ends?
Following ELSA support, the ELSA works closely with the class teacher to ensure that any strategies that the child has learned are followed through in the classroom. Parents and carers are also encouraged to meet at regular intervals to discuss progress and how strategies might be used outside of school.
Who is the ELSA at Stanmore Primary School?
The ELSA at Stanmore Primary School is Mrs Lindsey Mason. All ELSA’s have to undertake a rigorous training course which is led and managed by the Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Educational Psychology Dept. They provide on-going professional supervision to help maintain high quality in the work undertaken by ELSAs, thereby helping to ensure safe practice for ELSAs and pupils alike.