Emotional Literacy Support Assistant

About the role 

ERS Education is a London-based SEN recruitment specialist working exclusively in Special Educational Needs. We are currently recruiting trained ELSAs (Emotional Literacy Support Assistants) for supply, long-term, and permanent positions across London special schools, SEMH settings, and mainstream schools with SEN provisions. 

As an ELSA, you will deliver structured, evidence-based emotional literacy sessions to pupils identified as needing support - working under the supervision of your school’s educational psychologist and SENCO to improve emotional wellbeing, resilience, and social skills. 

What you will be doing 

• Planning and delivering individual or small group ELSA sessions to pupils with identified emotional and social needs 

• Working within an agreed programme set by the school’s educational psychologist or SENCO 

• Keeping brief session records and monitoring pupil progress over time 

• Supporting pupils to develop emotional vocabulary, self-regulation, and coping strategies 

• Liaising with class teachers and SENCOs to ensure a consistent approach to pupil support 

• Attending relevant CPD and supervision sessions as required by the school 

What we are looking for 

• Completed ELSA training (accredited programme delivered by an educational psychologist) 

• Experience working with children with SEMH needs, ASD, anxiety, or complex emotional and behavioural difficulties 

• A warm, patient, and non-judgemental approach 

• Strong ability to build trusting relationships with vulnerable pupils 

• Good written communication for record-keeping and session notes 

• Enhanced DBS on the Update Service (or willingness to obtain one) 

What ERS Education offers 

• Competitive daily rates: £80–£110 per day for supply (dependent on experience and school) 

• Permanent salaries: £22,000–£28,000 per year (dependent on school and experience) 

• Flexible supply work - you choose your availability and we find schools that suit you 

• Long-term and permanent opportunities across London SEN schools and SEMH provisions 

• A dedicated consultant who understands SEN - not a call centre 

• Personal, one-to-one registration process with honest feedback on your CV and prospects 

About ERS Education 

ERS Education is a specialist SEN recruitment agency based in London. We work exclusively in Special Educational Needs - placing ELSAs, SEN TAs, LSAs, HLTAs, Behaviour Mentors, SENCOs, and SEN teachers into special schools, SEMH settings, and SEN provisions across the capital. ERS was co-founded by an ex-headteacher, which means we understand what schools need and what good SEN professionals look like.