Why We Need ELSAs in Educational Communities

10 years of evidence based ELSA research shows that children, young people, educational communities and families have benefiited from the support provided by ELSAs during the last decade. At this time, as both psychologist and ELSA trainer, I have experienced the need of parents and students for registered ELSAs when schools re-open. Trained and registered ELSAs are able to support the return of children and young people to education following lockdown. ELSAs are able to guide teacher's on how they too can support children and young people through relational care approaches, mindfulness techniques, relaxation techniques, and undersanding stress responses to name a few. They are a truly valuable asset in any teaching and learning community.

We are well aware that due to the CV pandemic, that many of our children and young people may need more support than usual to make sense of their experiences, to reconcile the loss of important relationships, to rebuild relationships, friendships, a sense of worth, hope for the future, and optimism. We are also acutely aware that some children and young people will be anxious and apprehensive about returning to school after being away for so long. Following training, ELSAs can offer individualised support in each of these areas and provide aid that is unique to each person's needs. Sometimes ELSAs don't need to do anything other than listen, be present, and empathise; skills they are also taught in the training programme.

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ELSA Course Details

ELSA training is an 6 day course that aims to support practitioners in developing the emotional literacy and overall resiliency of vulnerable children and young people. There are an additional two days optional training on Attachment, Trauma, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Emotion Coaching.

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ELSAs are trained to plan and deliver programmes of support for pupils in their school or setting. A programme of support usually lasts for one half term, but can extend to a term.

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The course covers the following areas and all training days and supervision sessions are delivered by specialist Educational Psychologists:

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• Attachment Aware and Trauma Informed ELSAs

• ELSA and Emotional Literacy in Schools

• Building Resilience and Self-Esteem: Part 1

• Building Resilience and Self-Esteem: Part 2

• Understanding Feelings, Social, and Friendship Skills

• Story Work, Loss, and Bereavement

• Puppet Work, Active Listening and Reflective Conversations

• Emotion Coaching  ELSAs

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Some of the Therapeutic Approaches Covered in the ELSA training include:

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• Attachment and Relational Care Approaches

• Relaxation Techniques

• Mindfulness Approaches

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapeutic Approaches

• Motivational Interviewing

• Therapuetic Story Writing

• Using Social Stories

• The Circle of Friends

• Play Based Approaches and the use of Puppets

• Emotion Coaching

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During and After Training ELSAs will be able to:

• Carry out regular (weekly) half-hour sessions with individual pupils or small groups if this is appropriate.

• Develop programmes of support that are matched specifically to individual needs.

• Monitor interventions using appropriate tools for evaluating the impact of interventions for children with SEMH needs.

• Share ideas with other staff about how best to support pupils in school.

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During and After Training ELSAs will receive:

• A minimum of six days training including an information pack and access to ELSA resources online, prepared and hosted by Summit.

• Six sessions of mandatory supervision approximately every six weeks until the end of the 2021 academic year.

• Peer support from the growing ELSA network of trained ELSAs in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent schools.

Educational Communities will Need to Agree to Supporting Their ELSAs Both During and After Training

This support and commitment needs to come from within the educational community, SLT, and a designated ELSA line manager.

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Please Read the Following Documents Before Registering an ELSA for Training to Ensure you are Aware of your Commitments to your ELSA:

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• School Commitment and School Support

• Questions to Consider for ELSA Line Managers

• ELSA Person Specification

NEWCASTLE UNDER LYME

NEW COURSE

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December 2020

to July 2021

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Booking Form

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Training and Supervision Schedule

STAFFORD

Continuation of Training

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October - December 2020

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Schedule of Training and Supervision

STAFFORD

NEW COURSE

January - July 2021

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Booking Form

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Dates to be confirmed

In the News: Staffordshire's ELSAs

This course was amazing.

Dawn is such an inspiration.

It has already had such a positive impact for our children.

(ELSA)

What a brilliant course!

I couldn't wait to come back every month to learn more; and I love supervision, it's so helpful to share ideas and talk

(ELSA)

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We are starting to see the positive impact ELSA is having within our school.

I am thinking I would like to have another staff member trained up and I can imagine there will be a high demand for places on the course.

(Deputy Headteacher)