Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA)

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

Help Young People Build Confidence, Resilience and a Brighter Future

Do you believe that every young person deserves to feel safe, supported and understood?

We're looking for a compassionate Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA) to join a specialist education setting in Redhill, supporting pupils with SEND, SEMH and additional emotional needs. This is an opportunity to make a genuine difference by helping young people overcome barriers to learning, develop emotional resilience and achieve success both inside and outside the classroom.

Working in a smaller, nurturing environment, you'll become a trusted adult for pupils who benefit from consistent encouragement, positive relationships and personalised support.

The Role

As an ELSA, you'll work closely with teachers, pastoral staff and specialist professionals to provide tailored emotional and educational support that helps pupils thrive.

Your role will focus on promoting emotional wellbeing, building confidence and helping pupils develop the skills they need to engage positively with learning and school life.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide 1:1 and small group support tailored to individual pupil needs
• Support pupils with SEND, SEMH and additional social, emotional and mental health needs
• Deliver emotional literacy interventions and wellbeing activities
• Help pupils develop emotional regulation, resilience and positive coping strategies
• Build strong, positive and professional relationships that promote trust and engagement
• Support positive behaviour through a therapeutic and relationship-led approach
• Encourage confidence, independence and participation in learning
• Work collaboratively with teachers, pastoral staff, parents and external professionals
• Contribute to a safe, inclusive and nurturing learning environment
• Monitor pupil progress and contribute to personalised support strategies where appropriate

About You

We're looking for someone who:

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

Why Join This School?

• Term-time only role with an excellent work-life balance
• Temp-to-perm opportunity with long-term career prospects
• Smaller specialist setting where relationships come first
• Supportive leadership team and collaborative working culture
• Ongoing CPD, ELSA and specialist SEND/SEMH training
• Opportunities to develop skills in therapeutic, pastoral and behaviour support
• A varied and rewarding role where every day brings new opportunities to make a difference
• A school that values staff wellbeing, professional development and career progression

Apply Today

If you're passionate about supporting emotional wellbeing and want to help young people rebuild confidence, develop resilience and achieve their potential, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today to be considered for this rewarding Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA) opportunity in Redhill.

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