ELSAs are trained to support pupils with social and emotional needs. Their work is mostly one-on-one, though small group sessions are sometimes used for social and friendship skills. ELSAs receive clinical supervision from educational psychologists but are managed within their own schools.
ELSAs cannot fix children’s problems but provide crucial emotional support. They build respectful relationships with pupils, offering a space for them to share their thoughts and feelings. Using basic counselling skills like active listening, open questions, and verbal and non-verbal prompts, ELSAs guide conversations without rushing to solutions. Instead, they help pupils reflect on their concerns and explore their own strategies and solutions.
ELSA intervention is typically time-limited, focusing on developing specific skills over a term (8-12 weeks). After new skills are acquired, time is needed for consolidation. Further support can be considered later if necessary. Since ELSAs are part of the permanent school staff, they may maintain some informal contact to ensure a gradual withdrawal of support for pupils who need it.
For ELSAs to be effective, they must work towards clear targets with each pupil. These targets are identified in discussions with school staff and, when possible, with the pupil. Involving pupils in setting their own targets is beneficial, as it ensures that the goals are meaningful to them. If you would like further information on the role of an ELSA, see our top tips and best practice.
Could you or someone you know become an ELSA?
ELSA Training 25/26
The ELSA programme is a school-based intervention designed to support pupils with low level social and emotional needs.
We will be running the 6-day initial training of new ELSAs from:
November 2025 until May 2026
All sessions to run from 09:30 – 15:00
To register your interest, please complete the online registration form and return the order form.
- Use of story
- Managing strong emotions
- Social skills and friendship skills
- Supporting Autistic pupils
- Self-esteem and resilience
- Loss and bereavement
- Planning and evaluating ELSA sessions
Day 1 – 12th November 2025
Day 2 – 21st January 2026
Day 3 – 4th February
Day 4 – 4th March
Day 5 – 29th April
Day 6 – 13th May (tbc)
Line managers will be invited to attend the last session
*dates are provisional and subject to change
ELSA Supervision
An essential part of the ELSA programme is ongoing supervision from an Educational Psychologist.
On completion of training all ELSAs are offered half termly group supervision and must attend at least four sessions a year to receive a certificate of ongoing ELSA status.
Supervision includes: 5 x 2-hour sessions and an invite to the ELSA Summer conference or 6 x 2-hour sessions.
To ensure that all ELSAs have a place in one of our supervision groups from September 2025, please fill in the ELSA order form and complete the online registration form, specifying how many ELSAs require supervision and other requirements.
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