ELSA

Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA)

We are fortunate at The Hermitage Schools to have two fully qualified ELSAs on our staff team: Mrs Blackwell at the Hermitage Infant School and Mrs Boulcott at the Hermitage Junior School. 

An ELSA is an Emotional Literacy Support Assistant. A member of staff who has received additional training and has experience of working with children. ELSA’s are trained and regularly supervised by the Educational Psychologist in the local area. An ELSA Is a warm and caring person who wants to help your child feel happy in school. The aim is to help try and remove barriers to learning and to have happy children in school and at home. An ELSA can help with self-esteem, social skills, emotions, anxiety, relaxation techniques and more.

An ELSA can complete a ten week programme of activities to support a young learner with parental consent or will ‘touch base’ via drop ins with a child for less intense support where needs are identified.