Emotional Literacy Support Assistant

About the role

ERS Education is a London-based SEN recruitment specialist working exclusively in Special Educational Needs. We are currently recruiting trained ELSAs (Emotional Literacy Support Assistants) for supply, long-term, and permanent positions across London special schools, SEMH settings, and mainstream schools with SEN provisions.

As an ELSA, you will deliver structured, evidence-based emotional literacy sessions to pupils identified as needing support - working under the supervision of your school’s educational psychologist and SENCO to improve emotional wellbeing, resilience, and social skills.

What you will be doing

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Planning and delivering individual or small group ELSA sessions to pupils with identified emotional and social needs

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Working within an agreed programme set by the school’s educational psychologist or SENCO

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Keeping brief session records and monitoring pupil progress over time

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Supporting pupils to develop emotional vocabulary, self-regulation, and coping strategies

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Liaising with class teachers and SENCOs to ensure a consistent approach to pupil support

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Attending relevant CPD and supervision sessions as required by the school

What we are looking for

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Completed ELSA training (accredited programme delivered by an educational psychologist)

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Experience working with children with SEMH needs, ASD, anxiety, or complex emotional and behavioural difficulties

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A warm, patient, and non-judgemental approach

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Strong ability to build trusting relationships with vulnerable pupils

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Good written communication for record-keeping and session notes

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Enhanced DBS on the Update Service (or willingness to obtain one)

What ERS Education offers

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Competitive daily rates: £80–£110 per day for supply (dependent on experience and school)

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Permanent salaries: £22,000–£28,000 per year (dependent on school and experience)

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Flexible supply work - you choose your availability and we find schools that suit you

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Long-term and permanent opportunities across London SEN schools and SEMH provisions

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A dedicated consultant who understands SEN - not a call centre

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Personal, one-to-one registration process with honest feedback on your CV and prospects

About ERS Education

ERS Education is a specialist SEN recruitment agency based in London. We work exclusively in Special Educational Needs - placing ELSAs, SEN TAs, LSAs, HLTAs, Behaviour Mentors, SENCOs, and SEN teachers into special schools, SEMH settings, and SEN provisions across the capital. ERS was co-founded by an ex-headteacher, which means we understand what schools need and what good SEN professionals look like
Only candidates based in UK and eligible to work in UK are allowed