Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA)

This is a key post in our school which is centred around supporting children to understand and regulate their own emotions whilst also respecting the feelings of those around them.

We are looking for an experienced ELSA, to ensure the best support for our pupils.

Our ELSA will help children to develop the social and emotional skills they need to flourish in school, working in small groups or 1:1 situations. The ELSA will also be required to work with colleagues in school, parents, outside agencies and may also be called upon at short notice to support specific children if other members of staff are not available. The role will also involve working with our Pastoral Lead, Assistant Head for Inclusion and Senior Mental Health Lead. The team is also supported by two professional counsellors from Me and My Mind and Place2Be.

Our ELSA also will also run a lunchtime club to specifically support children who find lunchtimes difficult.

The successful candidate will:

• be ELSA trained or currently working to complete training in 2025
• be highly committed, enthusiastic, flexible and skilled and passionate about supporting children’s learning
• have high expectations of children and themselves; be able to show initiative and work independently and as part of a team and embrace our Academy’s values
• be able to plan and deliver individual and group support programmes with resources to meet the social, emotional and mental health needs of our children
• have good time management and organisational skills keeping confidential, accurate and succinct records of involvement
• have excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work with parents and staff to support children’s emotional needs
• communicate well with children gaining their confidence and trust, by being approachable and willing to listen
• have a warm personality and the ability to stay calm under pressure
• be emotionally literate themselves, with a high degree of empathy and discretion and commitment to Inclusion.

View the full job description and person specification here

Interested in this exciting opportunity? We warmly encourage you to visit to meet the team and the children. Please contact contact Mr Coleman on 01424 429279, or email [email protected]  to arrange a visit to the school or informal chat.

• Salaries 2.5% higher than main pay scale.
• Twice as many training days as standard.
• Generous pension scheme.
• Access to Ark rewards – a scheme offering savings from over 3,000 major retailers
• Interest-free loans – up to £5,000 available for season ticket or to buy a bicycle.
• Gym discounts – offering up to 40%.
• Access to Employee Assistance Programme – providing free, confidential counselling, legal advice and a range of different support.

Ark Blacklands Primary Academy is Hastings' fastest-improving primary school. Located near the 109-acre Alexandra Park, we recently celebrated winning the East Sussex Healthy Schools Excellence Award.

We are a large school with a new intake each year of 3 forms, with 90 pupils in each year group, from reception through to year 6. Despite this, our staff make a tremendous effort to get to know each pupil and provide them with the very best care.

As part of the Ark schools’ network, we are committed to making sure that every child has access to a great education and real choices in life. We know that great schools need great staff, which is why we offer you the very best training and support at every stage of your career.