Please note that the start date for the training has changed from 28/09/2020 to 19/10/2020
This training is brought to you by one of Slough Borough Council's Educational Psychologists, Catherine Watson, for the attention of SENCOs, Inclusion Managers and all Teaching Assistants working in schools.
The 5 day course qualifies Teaching Assistants to work as ELSAs (Emotional Literacy Support Assistants) in schools and is followed up with ongoing supervision sessions to embed the programme and support the ELSA.
The course dates are the following:
- Monday 19th October 2020
- Monday 23rd November 2020
- Monday 11th January 2021
- Monday 8th February 2021
- Monday 8th March 2021
It is essential to attend all sessions. The charge for the course is £400 + £150 for the first year of supervision + fees.
What is an ELSA?
ELSAs are Emotional Literacy Support Assistants. They are Teaching Assistants who have received specific training from Educational Psychologists from whom they receive on-going supervision following training. Their role is to support children and young people in school to understand and regulate their own emotions, learn to respect others around them and to develop resilience.
How would an ELSA benefit your school?
There has been consistent feedback from schools across the UK that the introduction of ELSAs has made a significant positive impact on the emotional wellbeing of children and young people and their ability to manage better at school — socially, emotionally and academically.
How would it work?
ELSAs will receive five days of training from Educational Psychologists to help them to plan, deliver and evaluate bespoke interventions for identified pupils in their schools. They receive course notes and a copy of 'Emotional Wellbeing: An Introductory Handbook for Schools, by Gillian Shotton & Shiela Burton. Following the initial training ELSAs meet every half term (6 times a year) on an ongoing basis 2 hour supervision session with other ELSAs and an Educational Psychologist. This is 'clinical' supervision to support the ELSAs to develop their role in school, provide a psychological perspective and attend additional training elements (e.g. bereavement in the first year.)
There is an additional payment of £150 per annum for supervision.