• Type: Contract / Long-term / Supply (depending on availability)
• Location: Cardiff & surrounding areas
• Start date: ASAP
• Hours: Full-time (part-time considered)
• Pay: Competitive daily rate (dependent on experience)
Are you a compassionate and patient individual with a passion for supporting children’s emotional wellbeing and mental health?
Elementa Support Services is working in partnership with supportive and inclusive primary and secondary schools to recruit dedicated Emotional Literacy Support Assistants (ELSAs). This role offers a rewarding opportunity to work closely with pupils who require additional emotional support, helping them develop coping strategies, resilience, and positive relationships to enable them to thrive in school.
About the Role
As an ELSA, you will:
• Deliver tailored emotional literacy interventions to individuals and small groups
• Support pupils with social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs
• Help children develop self-esteem, emotional awareness, and coping strategies
• Build positive, trusting relationships with pupils to support their wellbeing
• Work closely with the SENCo and pastoral team to implement support plans
• Monitor, record, and report on pupil progress and emotional development
• Promote safeguarding, wellbeing, and positive behaviour at all times
• Contribute to a nurturing, inclusive, and supportive school environment
What We’re Looking For
To be considered, candidates must have:
• A relevant ELSA qualification
• Experience working with children or young people, ideally in an educational setting
• A strong understanding of emotional wellbeing, behaviour, and SEMH needs
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• A calm, patient, and empathetic approach
• An Enhanced DBS on the Update Service, or willingness to apply (Elementa can assist)
Desirable:
• Additional relevant qualifications (e.g. counselling skills, psychology, youth work)
• Experience supporting pupils with anxiety, trauma, or behavioural needs
• Knowledge of safeguarding and child protection procedures
• Experience working alongside SENCo or pastoral teams
Recruitment & Safeguarding Information
All applications will be managed by Elementa Support Services as the recruitment partner for this client. Elementa is committed to the safeguarding of children in all of their processes and all successful applicants will have a full pre-screen to assess their suitability for the role.
Any appointment will be subject to:
• A successful interview process
• Satisfactory references
• Safeguarding & Prevent training
• Education Workforce Council (EWC) registration in the appropriate categories (where applicable)
• Enhanced DBS Disclosure (which may be chargeable at £64.20 unless subscribed to the Update Service)
• Successful completion of a 12-week / 60 paid day employment trial period
ELEMENTA CANDIDATE COMMITMENT
• Weekly pay – no waiting for monthly payroll cut-off dates; Elementa pays one week in lieu
• PAYE contract – unless requested otherwise, providing full employment protections
• Training & Support – free or heavily discounted training including Safeguarding, Behaviour Management, Team Teach, SEND, Makaton, and Thrive
• Dedicated candidate manager providing regular welfare contact and ongoing support
• Fair pay policy – paid to scale; any variation agreed in writing prior to placement
• Additional staff support services – access to partner services including tax returns, accountancy, legal advice, and more
This Role Is Not Suitable For Applicants:
• Not currently based within the UK
• Requiring employer sponsorship for UK right to work
• Without a relevant ELSA qualification experience
Interested?
Click Apply Now or contact us via phone or email for more information.
Please apply with your full, up-to-date CV. All applicants will be promptly responded to
Salary description
£100.00 - £120.00 per day