Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA)

Abbeyfield School; Northampton; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

Abbeyfield School in Northampton is seeking an Emotional Literacy Support Assistant to work with students under the guidance of the SENDCo and pastoral team. You will provide targeted emotional support, one-to-one and small group sessions, and help students build resilience for academic and personal success.

You will monitor progress, build positive relationships with pupils and families, and contribute to whole-school wellbeing initiatives and mental health promotion.

Qualifications

• Experience of supporting students with emotional, behavioural or additional needs.
• Ability to build positive and trusting relationships with students.
• Organised, efficient, calm and enthusiastic.
• Motivate, inspire and have high expectations of students.
• Creative approach to problem solving.

Responsibilities

• Deliver targeted interventions and provide one-to-one and small group support for students.
• Help students navigate challenges such as anxiety, low self-esteem, friendship difficulties and emotional regulation.
• Build resilience and empower students to achieve success academically and personally.
• Monitor progress and work closely with families, staff and external agencies to ensure each child receives the support they need.
• Contribute to whole-school wellbeing initiatives and promote positive mental health.

Skills

Experience with students

Relationship building

Organised and proactive

Motivation and inspiration

Problem solving

Job description

Help shape brighter futures as our new Emotional Literacy Support Assistant. Working alongside our SENDCo and wider pastoral team, you'll provide vital emotional support, build resilience and empower students to achieve success both academically and personally.

About You:

Be the emotional guide our students need as our new Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA) at Abbeyfield School. Working alongside our SENDCo and pastoral teams, you'll help young people build resilience, overcome barriers to learning and thrive both in school and beyond. You'll deliver targeted interventions, provide one-to-one and small group support, and help students navigate challenges such as anxiety, low self-esteem, friendship difficulties and emotional regulation. As a trusted key worker, you'll build positive relationships with students, monitor progress and work closely with families, staff and external agencies to ensure every child receives the support they need. You'll also contribute to whole-school wellbeing initiatives, promote positive mental health and play a vital role in helping students develop the confidence, skills and resilience needed for success in the classroom and in life.

Our Ideal candidate will have:

• Relevant Experience: Experience of supporting students with emotional, behavioural or additional needs.
• Relationship Building: Ability to build positive and trusting relationships with students.
• Organisation & Professionalism: Organised, efficient, calm and enthusiastic.
• Student Development: Motivate, inspire and have high expectations of students.
• Problem Solving & Innovation: Creative approach to problem solving.