ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant)

Location: Redhill, Surrey
Salary: Competitive (dependent on experience)
Contract: 12-Weeks Temp to Perm, Term Time Only
Start Date: September 2026 or sooner for the right candidate

Be the Difference for Young People Who Need Someone to Believe in Them

Are you passionate about emotional wellbeing, inclusion, and helping young people overcome barriers to education?

We are recruiting a dedicated Teaching Assistant / ELSA to join a specialist education setting supporting pupils with SEND, SEMH, and additional emotional needs. This is a rewarding opportunity to work in a smaller, nurturing environment where relationships, trust, and emotional regulation are at the centre of everything.

Many of the young people we support have experienced challenges in their educational journey and need calm, consistent adults who can help them feel safe, understood, and successful.

The Role

As a Teaching Assistant / ELSA, you will provide personalised support to pupils both inside and outside of the classroom, helping them build confidence, develop emotional literacy, and re-engage positively with learning.

Working closely with teachers, pastoral staff, and wider professionals, you will play a key role in creating a supportive and inclusive environment where every pupil can thrive.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide 1:1 and small group support tailored to individual needs
  * Support pupils with SEND, SEMH, and additional emotional needs
  * Deliver emotional literacy interventions and wellbeing support
  * Help pupils develop self-regulation, resilience, and positive coping strategies
  * Build strong, trusting, and professional relationships with young people
  * Support engagement with learning and positive behaviour strategies
  * Work collaboratively with teachers, pastoral teams, and external professionals
  * Contribute to a safe, nurturing, and inclusive school environment

The Ideal Candidate

We are looking for someone who:

• Has experience supporting children or young people with SEND, SEMH, or emotional needs
  * Has ELSA training or experience in pastoral support, wellbeing, mentoring, or therapeutic approaches (desirable)
  * Understands that behaviour is communication
  * Is calm, patient, and emotionally resilient
  * Can build positive relationships while maintaining professional boundaries
  * Is adaptable and responsive to individual learning and emotional needs
  * Enjoys working as part of a collaborative and supportive team
  * Is passionate about helping vulnerable young people achieve positive outcomes

Why Apply?

• Permanent, term-time only position offering an excellent work-life balance
  * Opportunity to make a genuine difference to vulnerable young people's lives
  * Smaller specialist setting with a strong team ethos
  * Supportive leadership team and collaborative working environment
  * Ongoing CPD and specialist SEND and SEMH training opportunities
  * Opportunity to develop therapeutic, pastoral, and behaviour support skills
  * Varied and rewarding role where no two days are the same
  * Strong focus on staff wellbeing and professional development

Apply Now

If you are passionate about emotional wellbeing and want to help young people rebuild confidence, develop resilience, and succeed both academically and personally, we'd love to hear from you. Apply today to be considered for this rewarding opportunity.

Huntress does not discriminate on the grounds of age, race, gender, disability, creed or sexual orientation and complies with all relevant UK legislation. PLEASE NOTE! You should make yourself aware of how immigration laws apply to your situation before applying for any jobs. We are acting as a Recruitment Business in relation to this role.