Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA)
Location: Sefton Park Infant and Junior Schools, Bristol, UK
Salary: BG8 FTE £29,064, PRO RATA £13,799
Contract Type: Part-time, fixed term contract until 31/8/2027
Hours: 20 hours per week - spread over 4 or 5 days. Timings can be flexible but will include a Lunchtime Duty.
Reporting to: Inclusion/Pastoral Leads
Start Date: 1/9/2026
Are you looking for a new challenge? Are you keen to work with children to support and develop their emotional wellbeing and social skills?
About the Role
An exciting opportunity has arisen at Sefton Park Schools to join our inclusion and pastoral team. We are seeking an enthusiastic, organised, and skilled professional to support pupils across our Infant and Junior schools. Our schools offer a holistic and child-centred approach where children can learn and grow in a caring and exciting environment. The successful candidate will provide targeted support to children requiring assistance with their social, emotional and mental health needs, working with pupils from Year 2 to Year 6.
In this role, you will champion pupil wellbeing by delivering targeted 1:1 and small group Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) interventions. You will also bridge the gap between home and school by facilitating our 'Families Together' programme to ensure a holistic approach to child wellbeing. This is a fixed term role until 31/8/2027 in the first instance, with the possibility of the contract being extended for the right candidate. Additional training, coaching and supervision will be provided for the successful candidate.
Key Responsibilities
● Work alongside the Inclusion and Pastoral Team to identify pupils that require intervention.
● Plan and deliver targeted 1:1 and small group Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) interventions.
● Co-ordinate the school’s 'Families Together' programme to support home-school alignment.
● Create a safe, nurturing, positive and inclusive environment that fosters children’s confidence and engagement.
● Engage directly with parents and external professionals to share wellbeing strategies.
● Develop our nurture/regulation space alongside our Assistant SENDCo.
● Maintain secure, confidential records of all interventions using school systems.
● Report regularly to the Inclusion and Safeguarding Team.
This is an exciting opportunity for anyone wishing to be part of a dedicated team with a strong desire to develop children’s learning and improve their life chances.
You will need to be an enthusiastic team player with a positive outlook to facilitate the children reaching their full potential. Experience of working with children in a pastoral capacity would be an advantage, although not essential. Ideally you will be patient and calm, with a consistent and positive approach to managing pupils’ needs.
We are seeking someone who:
· has experience of supporting children with SEND, especially SEMH needs and trauma
· ideally has strong pastoral/wellbeing experience
· understands trauma-informed practice and behaviour as communication
· is reflective, patient and emotionally resilient
· enjoys working as part of a team
Closing date Wednesday 8th July
Shortlisting Thursday 9th July
Interviews Wednesday 15th July
Location: Sefton Park Infant and Junior Schools, Bristol, UK
Salary: BG8 £13,799
Contract Type: Part-time, fixed term contract until 31/8/27
Hours: 20 hours per week - spread over 4 or 5 days. Timings can be flexible but will include a Lunchtime Duty.
Reporting to: Inclusion/Pastoral Leads
Start Date: 1/9/26
Are you looking for a new challenge? Are you keen to work with children to support and develop their emotional wellbeing and social skills?
About the Role
An exciting opportunity has arisen at Sefton Park Schools to join our inclusion and pastoral team. We are seeking an enthusiastic, organised, and skilled professional to support pupils across our Infant and Junior schools. Our schools offer a holistic and child-centred approach where children can learn and grow in a caring and exciting environment. The successful candidate will provide targeted support to children requiring assistance with their social, emotional and mental health needs, working with pupils from Year 2 to Year 6.
In this role, you will champion pupil wellbeing by delivering targeted 1:1 and small group Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) interventions. You will also bridge the gap between home and school by facilitating our 'Families Together' programme to ensure a holistic approach to child wellbeing. This is a fixed term role until 31/8/2027 in the first instance, with the possibility of the contract being extended for the right candidate. Additional training, coaching and supervision will be provided for the successful candidate.
Key Responsibilities
● Work alongside the Inclusion and Pastoral Team to identify pupils that require intervention.
● Plan and deliver targeted 1:1 and small group Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) interventions.
● Co-ordinate the school’s 'Families Together' programme to support home-school alignment.
● Create a safe, nurturing, positive and inclusive environment that fosters children’s confidence and engagement.
● Engage directly with parents and external professionals to share wellbeing strategies.
● Develop our nurture/regulation space alongside our Assistant SENDCo.
● Maintain secure, confidential records of all interventions using school systems.
● Report regularly to the Inclusion and Safeguarding Team.
This is an exciting opportunity for anyone wishing to be part of a dedicated team with a strong desire to develop children’s learning and improve their life chances.
You will need to be an enthusiastic team player with a positive outlook to facilitate the children reaching their full potential. Experience of working with children in a pastoral capacity would be an advantage, although not essential. Ideally you will be patient and calm, with a consistent and positive approach to managing pupils’ needs.
We are seeking someone who:
· has experience of supporting children with SEND, especially SEMH needs and trauma
· ideally has strong pastoral/wellbeing experience
· understands trauma-informed practice and behaviour as communication
· is reflective, patient and emotionally resilient
· enjoys working as part of a team
Closing date Wednesday 8th July
Interviews Wednesday 15th July