Teaching Assistant – ELSA

Teaching Assistant (ELSA)
Location: Shoreham-by-Sea
Job Title: Teaching Assistant (ELSA)
Hours: Full-time (Term Time)

A school in Shoreham is seeking a Teaching Assistant with ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant) training or strong, demonstrable experience in supporting children’s mental health and well-being. You will deliver 1:1 and small-group interventions to help pupils understand and manage their emotions, use creative strategies like play and art to promote emotional literacy, and support children who struggle with social interactions. A background in helping children with trauma, anxiety, and behaviour challenges is crucial, as is the ability to devise and follow structured support plans, including behavioural or personal care plans.

Key Responsibilities:

• Plan and deliver ELSA-based interventions, focusing on emotional literacy, social skills, and strategies to manage anxiety or trauma
• Use creative tools and methods—such as play, art, and role-play—to engage pupils and encourage positive coping strategies
• Develop and adapt support plans in collaboration with the SENCo, class teachers, and other staff
• Track pupils’ progress, adjusting interventions and strategies to ensure effective outcomes
• Work with individual and small groups of children, creating a supportive, trusting environment for them to express themselves
• Understand and follow the school’s policies regarding safeguarding, behaviour management, and personal care plans

Essential Experience/Attributes:

• ELSA qualification or proven experience in delivering emotional and social support to children with mental health challenges, trauma, or behaviour issues
• Strong background in building emotional literacy and social skills among pupils
• Excellent communication skills for liaising with children, staff, and parents
• Familiarity with or willingness to engage with structured support plans, including EHCPs and behavioural care plans
• A DBS check on the update service or willingness to obtain one
• Creative, empathetic, and adaptable approach to meeting the varied emotional needs of pupils

If you have the passion and expertise to help children grow in emotional resilience and social competence, apply now to join our dedicated school team!

Important Notice: To successfully apply for the above position, you should be eligible to work in the UK or hold a relevant work visa. Pink Tile is committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and young people within education. During the application process, you will be required to:

• Provide details for reference checks before employment
• Provide an Enhanced DBS on the update service or be willing to obtain one (which Pink Tile can assist with)

Pink Tile Education, their schools, and candidates share the view of “Best Fit, Every Time,” ensuring each candidate placed has a positive impact on their new team. Pay is inclusive of the 12.07% PAYE holiday.

We aim to respond to all applications within three working days. If you have not been contacted by then, your application may have been unsuccessful on this occasion. We encourage you to check missed calls or emails, and to apply for future vacancies as they arise. Thank you.