Emotional Literacy Support Assistant Training Course

Emotional Literacy Support Assistant Training Course

Are you looking to gain a nationally recognised qualification in Emotional Literacy? Join us for the hybrid, flexible ELSA training course delivered by Dr Teresa Wheeler (Mindful Paws) and Dr Martina Jones (HELP Psychology), Educational and Child Psychologists.

ELSA is designed to be a short term intervention to support young people who are struggling with their emotional wellbeing. Through this course you will learn a range of emotional literacy theories and about different techniques, interventions and resources that you can utilise. One of the key strengths of the ELSA course is that delegates are supported to develop their planning skills, so that interventions are truly individualised.

For more information about the ELSA training course including current research, please see ELSA Network – Emotional Literacy Support Assistants

In order to fully qualify as an ELSA you must attend at least 5 out of the 6 training days including the face to face session. ELSAs must also attend half termly supervision with an Educational Psychologist to legitimately call themselves an ELSA. You must work within an education setting in order to attend the course and deliver ELSA, and your line manager will be asked to sign a contract to confirm that they as a school will support you to deliver the intervention effectively.

Courses are traditionally run over six full days, however this training will be slightly different and will consist of one full face to face day (taking place on the 12th November at the Bridgewood Manor Hotel & Spa) followed by 9 half day sessions which will be delivered virtually. The dates for the course are below (session topics are set, but the order may be changed slightly if required):

Virtual Information Session

Time/date to be confirmed. Line managers and ELSAs will be invited to a virtual webinar to learn more about how school can support you in your training.

Face to Face Session

Wednesday 12th November 2025 9:00-3:30 at the Bridgewood Manor Hotel and Spa (Emotional Literacy, What is an ELSA, Active Listening)

Virtual Sessions

Thursday 4th December 9:15-12:30 (Attachment and Belonging)Thursday 8th January 9:15-12:30 (Friendship and Social Skills)Thursday 22nd January 9:15-12:30 (Resilience)Thursday 12th February 9:15-12:30 (Motivation)Thursday 12th March 9:15-12:30 (Emotional Regulation)Thursday 26th March 9:15-12:30 (Self Esteem)Thursday 30th April 9:15-12:30 (Bereavement and Loss)Thursday 21st May 9:15-12:30 (The use of story, play and puppets in ELSA work)Thursday 11th June 9:15-12:30 Thursday 21st May 9:15-12:30 (ELSA journey, professional development, supervision)

Sessions will contain a mixture of theory delivery, practical activity and small group tasks. There will be optional (but recommended) tasks to carry out in between sessions which are designed to enhance your learning.

The course fee includes the initial training day with refreshments and lunch, an ELSA handbook and course handouts. It also includes your first year of supervision (2026-2027).

How to sign up for the training

Please sign up through eventbrite and ensure to leave contact details as your school will be sent an invoice. Invoices must be settled within one month of receiving to confirm your place on the course.

*A minimum of 10 delegates is required for the course to run. If in the unfortunate event of not enough delegates, we will let you know and your place will be refunded