In a growing number of UK schools, Emotional Literacy Support Assistants (known as ELSAs) are making a quiet but powerful difference in children’s lives. Developed by educational psychologists in response to rising mental health concerns, the ELSA programme equips teaching assistants with specialised training to support children’s emotional and social difficulties.
While academic achievement often grabs headlines, school staff and parents know that emotional wellbeing forms the bedrock of successful learning. “Children can’t focus on phonics or fractions if they’re weighed down by anxiety or frustration,” explains Catherine Kelly, Assistant Principal Educational Psychologist in Bury. “The ELSA’s job is to help them feel safe, heard, and understood.”
ELSAs work one-on-one or in small groups with children facing challenges such as anxiety, low self-esteem, friendship issues, or bereavement. Using techniques like storytelling, emotion cards, and play-based strategies, they create safe spaces where children can talk, explore feelings, and develop coping skills.
The impact is often transformative. Teachers report improved classroom behaviour, stronger peer relationships, and a noticeable boost in children's confidence. Headteachers describe ELSAs as a key part of the pastoral team, and parents benefit too, “I learned my own little ways with help from the ELSA to try and ease that anxiety and try and build his confidence back up” explained one parent.
Training and supervision are key. ELSAs are not counsellors, but they’re closely supported by educational psychologists to ensure interventions are evidence-informed and tailored to each child’s needs. Unlike many other interventions, ELSA support “can be tweaked to suit individual pupils needs/abilities” Explained Karen Crawford an ELSA at Millwood School. ELSAs also really value being able to share ideas and resources with ELSAs from other schools.
As demand for mental health support grows, some schools are expanding their ELSA provision and more training is being offered by the Community Educational Psychology Service (CEPS) in the Autumn term. This investment in emotional literacy will reap rewards across Bury.
Contact: CEPs@Bury.gov.uk for more information