The ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant) intervention aims to develop and deliver individualised support programmes to meet the emotional needs of children. It recognises that children learn better and are happier in school if their emotional needs are also addressed.

ELSA is an initiative developed and supported by educational psychologists, who apply their professional knowledge of children’s social and emotional development to areas of need experienced by pupils. 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.

The role title of ELSA may only legitimately be used by people who:

• have attended a full ELSA training course delivered by one or more fully qualified educational psychologists
• regularly attend half-termly supervision in small groups, led by a qualified educational psychologist
• are currently delivering bespoke programmes of support to individual pupils and sometimes small groups

At Waunarlwydd Primary School, we offer this individualised support for pupils. Pupils can be referred by the class teacher and/or parents and will receive a block of support for their emotional needs. This support may focus on recognising their emotions, emotion regulation, self-esteem, social and friendship skills or loss and bereavement. The aim of the support will be to provide the pupil with coping tools to be able to manage their emotions.

For pupils receiving support, parents will receive information about the ELSA provision and will then be contacted with your child's SMART targets.  During the process, you will be encouraged to discuss the programme and resources that you can use to support at home.  A parental questionnaire will be sent on completion of the support.