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Should you want any more information about something you have seen here, or have any concerns about your child's wellbeing, then please contact Michelle Ratcliffe at inclusion@hoveton-st-johns.norfolk.sch.uk

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Here at Just One Norfolk, we are dedicated to providing children and young people’s health services to the community. Find out more about our services

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What is ELSA Intervention?

An ELSA in a school is an Emotional Literacy Support Assistant. There is a recognised training course aimed specifically at Teaching Assistants or other specialist school roles. ELSAs are specialists with a wealth of experience of working with children and young people. ELSAs are trained and regularly supervised by Educational Psychologists. The course tends to be 6 full days and covers many areas from emotional literacy to active listening.

Supervision

ELSAs must be supervised regularly by the Educational Psychologists who trained them. This supervision is key to good practice and allows the ELSA to bring up any problems with a group of other ELSAs along with the Educational Psychologist.

Scope of practice

It is important that ELSAs work within the their scope of practice and only cover things they are trained to cover. Any concerns out of their scope of practice should be discussed with their Educational Psychologist and potentially referred on to outside agencies. ELSAs SUPPORT NOT FIX.

ELSA Relationship

ELSAs are warm, kind and caring people who want to make children and young people feel happy in school. and to reach their potential socially, emotionally and academically. They understand the barriers to learning that some children and young people might have and can help them with this.

They can support the children and young person's emotional development and help them cope with life's challenges. ELSAs will also help children and young people to find solutions to problems they might have.

An ELSA is not there to fix problems but to help them find their own solutions and offer that important support to a child or young person.

Relationships are key in helping children and young people to feel safe and nurtured. ELSA is about creating a reflective space for the child or young person.
Please see our leaflet on ELSA
What areas does an ELSA help with?

Loss and bereavement

Emotional Literacy

Self-esteem

Social Skills

Friendship issues

Relationships

Managing strong feelings

Anxiety and worries

Bullying

Conflict

Emotional Regulation

Growth Mindset

Social and therapeutic stories

Problem solving

How are children or young people referred for ELSA?

Class teacher referral

Sendco referral

Parent referral

Child referral

Outside agency referral

How long should an ELSA Intervention last?

ELSA intervention should be a short term focus intervention with clear aims. Usually half a term to a full term in length.

ELSA Short term focused intervention

The vast majority of ELSA sessions are proactive. This means that there are targets for the ELSA to achieve with the child or young person. This makes the intervention measurable so the school knows the child or young person has made progress and the intervention has been successful. The targets are known as SMART - specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time limited. For examples of targets please see our blogpost

It is helpful to measure data prior and post intervention to ensure the child or young person has progressed or to see what the next steps might be. We at Elsa-Support developed our own measure that is very popular (with many comments being made from SLT and even OFSTED) - Social and Emotional assessments

Once the target has been set an ELSA can plan a series of sessions for that child to help them achieve their target. This might be a one to one session or a group session. The usual intervention is 6 sessions (half a term) but it could be a little longer if necessary. It is important the child or young person doesn't become too attached and reliant on the ELSA because the aim for most children or young people is to cope independently with any challenges that they face.

Our planning templates can be found here

- Individual session planning

- Group session planning

We also have a huge list of typical learning objectives

A typical ELSA lesson

There would be a welcome for the child or young person along with an emotional check in. How do they feel today?

A warm up or icebreaker game or activity would be played. This part is important because it helps the child to feel relaxed and it's fun!

The main activity would follow where the ELSA would be teaching something to help the pupil with their target. The ELSA would also review what was learnt last time to see if the child or young person has remembered and if they used the skill taught.

There would be a relaxation exercise to help the child or young person be ready for class and a quick review on what the child or young person has learnt that session. At this point the ELSA may ask the child or young person to do something for next time. eg. practise star breathing when feeling angry.

Here is a visual timetable of a lesson to download ELSA Session This is helpful for the child or young person, ELSA and also a great way to show other members of staff what goes on in a typical session.

ELSA Reactive Support

Sometimes things happen in life such as a death, divorce, illness, hospital stay, and so on. An ELSA can help the child or young person reactively which means they can support them immediately when things like this happen. Through a strong relationship with the ELSA, the child or young person can feel safe and cared for and know that someone is there for them. Reactive support is very much about active listening which is taught on the course. It is child or young person led and there aren't any targets.

Where do sessions take place?

This all depends on the school and the space available. Ideally there is a room especially for ELSA intervention.

Here some ELSAs have shared displays they have done in their rooms. We also have a blog post on setting up a room - Setting up an ELSA room

Parent Communication

Whilst permission isn't needed to run a school based intervention with children, it is important to work with parents and inform them. Children or young people can make so much more progress when the parent and ELSA work together. Perhaps the parent can continue the learning outside of the session eg. practising coping strategies when the child has big emotions.

We do have a few leaflets to send home to parents that might be helpful.

ELSA Resources

We have developed many resources over the past 10 years and are leading in this area with many ELSAs using our resources. We have resources for children from 4 years old to 18 years old. (EYFS, KS1, KS2, and Secondary). Our resources are not only suitable for ELSAs but also for other practitioners. There are a huge list of people who use our resources and here are a few of them:

GPs

Teachers

Learning mentors

Social Workers

Camhs

NHS Nurses

Counsellors

EMHPs

Education Psychologists

Teaching Assistants

HLTAs

Family Support workers

SENDCO

Head Teachers

We have a huge library of over 500 free resources available for ANYONE to download. There is no catch, no sign up, just download. We hope they help you to support children - Free resource section Each Friday we add a new one to the free resource section. Known as #elsafreefriday. Of course we often add more than one but this one is guaranteed every single week.

We have lots of low cost resources available for you to download. Full programmes of support linked to areas covered by ELSAs and tools for you to use with your training knowledge. - ELSA Support resources

Most of our resources are digital downloads. Recently we designed and created some Notepads and Stickers and you can find them in 'Debbie's Hive'

New ELSAs or anyone else that work with children

Please join us in our ELSA Support and Wellbeing Mentors group. This is a caring community of other practitioners (over 15,000) who support each other. No question is too small and there is always someone who can support and help you. (me included).

Follow us

Find out more about ELSA

To find out more about the ELSA course, contact the Educational Psychologists in your local authority and ask them if they are running one, if not ask them if it is possible for the future. Additionally check out neighbouring local authorities because they will sometimes take people out of their area to make up numbers. To find out more about ELSA visit the ELSA Network site

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What is ELSA Intervention? - ELSA Support

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What is ELSA? What is ELSA INTERVENTION? This post should help to clearly explain the purpose of the ELSA programme.

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Lego-based Therapy Intervention Overview - Child Therapy Service

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Evidence suggests there are 5 steps you can take to improve your mental health and wellbeing. Trying these things could help you feel more positive and able to get the most out of life.
1. Connect with other people

Good relationships are important for your mental wellbeing. They can:

help you to build a sense of belonging and self-worth

give you an opportunity to share positive experiences

provide emotional support and allow you to support others

There are lots of things you could try to help build stronger and closer relationships:

2. Be physically active

Being active is not only great for your physical health and fitness. Evidence also shows it can also improve your mental wellbeing by:

raising your self-esteem

helping you to set goals or challenges and achieve them

causing chemical changes in your brain which can help to positively change your mood

Read about exercise guidelines and workouts to help improve your fitness and wellbeing

3. Learn new skills

Research shows that learning new skills can also improve your mental wellbeing by:

boosting self-confidence and raising self-esteem

helping you to build a sense of purpose

helping you to connect with others

Even if you feel like you do not have enough time, or you may not need to learn new things, there are lots of different ways to bring learning into your life.

Some of the things you could try include:

4. Give to others

Research suggests that acts of giving and kindness can help improve your mental wellbeing by:

creating positive feelings and a sense of reward

giving you a feeling of purpose and self-worth

helping you connect with other people

It could be small acts of kindness towards other people, or larger ones like volunteering in your local community.

Some examples of the things you could try include:

saying thank you to someone for something they have done for you

asking friends, family or colleagues how they are and really listening to their answer

spending time with friends or relatives who need support or company

offering to help someone you know with DIY or a work project

volunteering in your community, such as helping at a school, hospital or care home

5. Pay attention to the present moment (mindfulness)

Paying more attention to the present moment can improve your mental wellbeing. This includes your thoughts and feelings, your body and the world around you.

Some people call this awareness "mindfulness". Mindfulness can help you enjoy life more and understand yourself better. It can positively change the way you feel about life and how you approach challenges.

Read more about mindfulness, including steps you can take to be more mindful in your everyday life.

Further information

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Read about 5 steps you can take to improve your mental health and wellbeing.

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Nelson's Journey | Child Bereavement Help for Norfolk |

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Nelson's Journey supports children and young people in Norfolk who've experienced the death of a significant person. We provide a range of resources and services, and accept referrals from families and professionals for those who may need our support. Since 1997, Nelson's Journey has helped thousands of bereaved children and young people in the county.

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lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (questioning), intersex & asexual.

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Norfolk LGBT+ Project is a registered charity, providing support, information and advice to all age groups that is relevant to the health and wellbeing of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community in Norfolk and Waveney since 2007.

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Norfolk LGBT+ Project | Support, Information, Advice

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Norfolk LGBT+ Project is a registered charity, providing support, information and advice to all age groups that is relevant to the health and wellbeing of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community in Norfolk and Waveney since 2007.

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Young Carers and Families Support Norfolk | Carers Matter

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We provide tailored one-to-one support and advice for young carers and their families. Get in touch with our Norfolk support services to find out more today.

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Signs Of Domestic Violence and Abuse

Emotional abuse Threats & Intimidation Physical Abuse Sexual Abuse Economic Abuse Safety Planning

Emotional Abuse

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, you might be in an abusive relationship or experiencing domestic abuse.

Does your partner or someone you live with ever:

belittle you, or put you down?

blame you for the abuse or arguments?

deny that abuse is happening, or downplay it?

isolate you from your family and friends?

stop you going to college or work?

make unreasonable demands for your attention?

accuse you of flirting or having affairs?

tell you what to wear, who to see, where to go, and what to think?

control your money, or not give you enough to buy food or other essential things?

monitor your social media profiles, share photos or videos of you without your consent or use GPS locators to know where you are?

You do not have to wait for an emergency situation to find help. If domestic abuse is happening to you, it's important to tell someone and remember you're not alone.

There are support services that offer free confidential help:

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, you might be in an abusive relationship or experiencing domestic abuse.

Does your partner or someone you live with ever:

threaten to hurt or kill you?

destroy things that belong to you?

stand over you, invade your personal space?

threaten to kill themselves or the children?

read your emails, texts or letters?

harass or follow you?

You do not have to wait for an emergency situation to find help. If domestic abuse is happening to you, it's important to tell someone and remember you're not alone.

There are support services that offer free confidential help:

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, you might be in an abusive relationship or experiencing domestic abuse. The person abusing you may hurt you in a number of ways.

Does your partner or someone you live with ever:

slap, hit or punch you?

push or shove you?

bite or kick you?

burn you?

choke you or hold you down?

throw things?

You do not have to wait for an emergency situation to find help. If domestic abuse is happening to you, it's important to tell someone and remember you're not alone.

There are support services that offer free confidential help:

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, you might be in an abusive relationship or experiencing domestic abuse. Sexual abuse can happen to anyone.

Does your partner or someone you live with ever:

touch you in a way you do not want to be touched?

make unwanted sexual demands?

hurt you during sex?

pressure you to have unsafe sex - for example, not using a condom?

pressure you to have sex?

If anyone has sex with you when you do not want to, this is rape. It is still rape if that person is your partner.

You do not have to wait for an emergency situation to find help. If domestic abuse is happening to you, it's important to tell someone and remember you're not alone.

There are support services that offer free confidential help:

Economic Abuse

Economic abuse is where an abuser takes control of your money and access to the things you need. Economic abuse often occurs alongside other forms of abuse. It is commonly part of a pattern of coercive controlling behaviour.
Read more about economic abuse

Safety Planning

If you feel at risk from a partner or ex-partner you can reduce the risk to you and your family by making a safety plan. It is a chance to take some control of how you can stay safe.

Talk to a friend or family member you trust if you can. Tell them what is happening. This can mean more support for you emotionally and practically.

You could;

Leave a packed bag at their house with a change of clothes and important documents (or copies) like passports, birth certificates and banking details.

Have a code word or a sign (like a book or toy in the window) that lets them know you need help.

Tell your children they are a safe person to go to - if you do not think it puts them at more risk.

When you see the signs that your partner is likely to be abusive remove yourself and / or children from the situation if you can. Choose a room in the house where you and /or your children can be safer when you feel at risk. Your children may be at more risk if they are in the same room as you - decide what is best for your situation. It is good if your safer place has a lock - this might be the bathroom. It is best to avoid kitchens as they have a lot of possible 'weapons' like knives in them.

Take a phone with you if you can so you can get help. Can you hide a phone in your safe place if you do not have easy access to a phone?

Think about how you can get out of the house safely if you have to in a hurry.

Talk to your children about what is happening. Even if you do not think they are old enough to know, or you do not think they have seen or heard any abuse, they usually do know. It is important they know it is not their fault, or yours, and it is not ok.

Make sure your children know that they should not try and help if you are being attacked. Their job is to keep themselves safe. Talk to them about how to get help if they can.

You should call 999 if you or someone else is in danger. You can ring 999 even if you have no credit or reception. If you cannot speak dial 55 when they answer and services will know you need help. Try not to hang up so they are able to listen to what is happening.

If you cannot make voice calls, you can now contact the 999 emergency services by SMS text from your mobile phone. Emergency SMS is part of the standard 999 service which has been designed specifically for people with hearing loss or difficulty with speech.

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Read here at Just One Norfolk for information and contacts for helping children and young people suffering from, or witnessing, domestic abuse.

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Winter bugs and viruses are usually mild, but can sometimes become more serious. It can be hard to know what to do when your baby or child is ill and when you can manage this at home or need to see a doctor or nurse for more help.

We have put together information about keeping your family well this winter, as well as help on finding agencies and schemes that can provide support if you are struggling and tips for staying warm.

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Health Advice & Support for Children - Just One Norfolk

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Here at Just One Norfolk, we are dedicated to providing children and young people's health services to the community. Find out more about our services

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Parenting with mental health problems

Parenting comes with lots of challenges, which can be even more difficult if you're dealing with mental health problems.

Not all children who live with someone with mental health problems will experience abuse or be affected negatively. In fact, many parents are able to give children safe and loving care.

But sometimes it does affect their ability to cope with family life. So it's important that parents and carers can find support when they need it.

What are mental health problems?

When we talk about mental health problems we mean conditions like:

anxiety disorders

bipolar disorder

depression

obsessive-compulsive disorder

personality disorders

post-traumatic stress disorder

schizophrenia.

This is not a complete list. There are many types of mental health problems, and if yours isn't listed, we're still here to support you.

How can mental health problems affect parenting?

Sometimes these conditions can affect a parent's ability to provide the care that children need. Parents or carers may:

have mood swings

find it difficult to recognise their children's needs

or struggle with keeping routines such as mealtimes, bedtimes and taking their children to school.

If you, or someone you know is struggling, there's support available.

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Help and advice for parents and families living with mental health problems.

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Visual aids to support children with routines

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Visual aids to support children with routines

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This now and next visual aid goes perfectly with our visual timetable resource - a great way for the children to better understand action/reward or how to read their schedule!If your child or student has behavioural issues, this resource can be a great way to keep them focused on the task they are meant to complete.

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Visual aids to support children to regulate their emotions

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Visual aids to support children to regulate their emotions

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How can I use this to support pupils with their behaviour?

This Self-Regulation Strategy Board gives pupils the opportunity to communicate how they are feeling and to request positive behaviour strategies to support them with self-regulation. By providing pupils with visual choices, they can see the strategies available to them, but take ownership by choosing what works best for them as an individual. This resource develops pupils' understanding that we are all different, whilst promoting positive behaviour at the same time. Symbols are a universal means of communication. Children and adults alike are surrounded by different symbols everyday. For instance, road signs are a great example of visual learning. They give pedestrians and drivers directions or warnings about the area.

Symbols have multiple benefits, some of the key ones being:

How else is this resource helpful to students?

Communication is key to seeing an increase in positive behaviour. If students feel they cannot effectively communicate, this can lead to a display of negative behaviour. By giving students different communication options, such as visual aids and this self-regulation board, you're allowing them to communicate with you. By telling you what they need, you can assess the situation and take the necessary steps towards a solution, and in turn, more positive behaviour.

This resource allows children to express their emotions and self-regulate. By teaching children this skill, you are preparing them to deal better and more positively with future situations or challenges. It's an important skill that all children should learn so they are able to transfer it from childhood to adulthood.

For more resources on positive behaviour strategies, take a look at these Positive Phrases. The sheet offers alternative (and more positive) phrases for teachers and parents/carers to say to their children. Or, for more visual aids, try these cards. They're great in demonstrating to children how to act in school, and what positive actions they can take. For a similar resource, check out these Lanyard Sized Cards.

Add a fun and interactive way for children to learn about managing their anger with SEND Behaviour Management - Sometimes I Feel Angry. Perfect for EYFS/KS1 learners with SEND.

Expressing emotion

It's so important that children are able to express their feelings and emotions. Each child's learning journey should be an inclusive and positive experience that allows them to reach their full potential. Using emotion cards such as these are a simple and effective way of making sure everyone can express themselves and be understood.

The above video may be from a third-party source. We accept no responsibility for any videos from third-party sources. Please let us know if the video is no longer working.

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Twinkl Symbols: Self-Regulation Strategy Board

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This Self-Regulation Strategy Board gives pupils the opportunity to communicate how they are feeling and to request positive behaviour strategies to support them with self-regulation. By providing pupils with visual choices, they can see the strategies available to them, but take ownership by choosing what works best for them as an individual.

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Triple P - Positive parenting Programme.

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Triple P - Positive parenting Programme.

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Updated North Norfolk Digital September Programme 2024 (1)

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Updated North Norfolk Digital September Programme 2024 (1)