Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA)

At Beamish Primary School, we are committed to supporting pupils’ emotional wellbeing alongside their learning. One of the ways we do this is through our Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA) provision.

ELSA support helps pupils develop the emotional skills they need to feel confident, happy, and ready to learn. Sessions are delivered by a trained member of staff who builds a trusting relationship with the pupil and provides a safe, supportive space to talk, reflect, and learn new strategies.

ELSA can support pupils with:

Understanding and managing emotions
Building self-esteem and confidence
Navigating and managing social situations and promoting positive peer relationships
Coping with worries, anxiety, or changes
Managing emotions linked to loss, bereavement, or family changes
Developing resilience and problem-solving skills

ELSA is designed to help pupils grow in independence. Support is time-limited and carefully planned, giving children the tools, they need to manage their emotions successfully in class and everyday life. Many children find ELSA helps them feel calmer, more confident, and better able to enjoy learning and school life.

Support may be offered on a one-to-one or small-group basis, depending on a pupil’s needs. ELSA sessions are short-term and purposeful, usually running for a half term to a term, with clear aims to help children become more independent and confident in managing their emotions.

Our ELSA is a school-based member of staff who has received specialist training and ongoing supervision from the Educational Psychology Service. This helps to ensure support is delivered safely, professionally, and in line with best practice. Progress is regularly reviewed, and strategies are shared with school staff to help children continue to thrive in the classroom.

Parents and carers are kept informed and are encouraged to work alongside school to support their child’s emotional development.

How ELSA Helps My Child?

ELSA gives pupils time, space, and tools to understand their feelings and learn how to manage them. By improving emotional wellbeing, pupils are better able to engage with learning, build positive relationships, and enjoy school.

Who Might Benefit from ELSA?

ELSA support may be helpful for pupils who need extra support to understand and manage their emotions. This might include pupils who:

Experience worries, anxiety, or emotional distress that affects their learning or wellbeing
Find friendships or social situations difficult to manage
Have low confidence or self-esteem
Struggle to regulate their emotions or cope with change
Are experiencing challenges linked to bereavement, family changes, or significant life events
Need support developing resilience, emotional awareness, or problem-solving skills

ELSA is particularly beneficial for pupils who are finding emotional challenges impact their day-to-day experience in school but do not require specialist mental health services. It provides early, preventative support and helps pupils develop skills that can be used independently over time.

Support is always carefully considered and matched to each pupils’ needs, with clear aims and regular review to ensure it remains appropriate and effective.

How Are Pupils Identified for ELSA Support?

Pupils are identified for ELSA support through a careful, graduated approach to emotional wellbeing and SEND support. Identification may come from a range of sources, including:

Observations from class teachers or support staff who notice a pupil may be finding aspects of school life emotionally challenging
Ongoing monitoring of a pupils’ wellbeing, behaviour, or engagement in learning
Discussions with parents or carers who share concerns about their child’s emotional needs
Information from existing school support, such as nurture provision or targeted interventions
Assessment information from tools such as the Boxall Profile, which helps us understand a pupils social, emotional, and developmental needs
Pupil voice, where children are given opportunities to share how they are feeling and what they may find challenging
Advice from external professionals, including the Educational Psychology Service or other agencies

When a pupil is identified as potentially benefiting from ELSA, school staff carefully consider the most appropriate support. ELSA is offered where emotional literacy support is likely to help the pupil develop greater independence, confidence, and emotional resilience.

Progress is regularly reviewed to ensure the support remains effective and appropriate, and to decide next steps.

Working in Partnership

While parental consent is not required for ELSA, we believe in working openly and collaboratively with families. Parents and carers are informed about ELSA support and encouraged to work with school to reinforce emotional skills and strategies at home.

A Graduated Approach to Support

ELSA forms part of our wider graduated response to social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs, alongside support such as:

Nurture provision
Lego Therapy / Build to Express
Talking Mats
Emotional First Aid support
Educational Psychology input
External services such as CAMHS where appropriate
Zones of Regulation
Getting Along interventions
Additional Transition support sessions
Soft landing / Soft exit
Nurture lunch-time club
After-school clubs e.g. inside out club, mindful colouring etc