ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant) Course in Kent/Medway 2026-2027

Level Up Your Skills with the Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA) Training Programme

2026-2027 Academic Year

Take the next step in your professional development with our dynamic, experiential Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA) Training Course—delivered to the highest professional standards and recognised by the national ELSA Network.

This comprehensive training equips school-based staff with the knowledge, confidence, and psychological insight needed to support the emotional wellbeing of children and young people.

What You’ll Learn

Throughout the programme, ELSAs gain the skills to:

• Apply psychological theory to intervention planning.

• Design and deliver bespoke, short-term emotional literacy interventions tailored to individual learners.

• Support children in developing emotional understanding, self-regulation, resilience, friendship skills, and self-esteem.

• Work sensitively with children experiencing bereavement, loss or family break up.

• Learn about evidence based approachesincluding mindfulness, motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioural approaches and more…

• Facilitate both individual and group-based support.

One of the most valued outcomes of the training is the ability to confidently create individualised intervention plans, leading to more meaningful progress and improved wellbeing outcomes for children.

Ongoing Professional Supervision

Three supervision sessions are included as part of the course cost for 2026-2027. Ongoing supervision is required to remain active on the ELSA register (enabling you to continue using the title of ELSA). This can be arranged with the trainers at Steps Psychology at a cost of £300 per ELSA per year, or ELSAs may opt to continue supervision with an Educational Psychologist of their choice.

Who Can Apply?

This course is open to staff working within a school setting.
As part of the programme, each participant’s line manager will be invited to the morning session on the first day to understand the ELSA role and how best to support implementation in school.

Course Structure and Dates

30th September 2026
Day 1: Introduction to ELSA (What is Emotional Literacy, Getting Started)
Venue tbc: Will be within easy reach of Kent/Medway

9-3 (Morning session for line managers and ELSAs, Afternoon session for ELSAs only)

14th October 2026
Day 2: Attachment, belonging and friendship skills
9-3 Virtual Delivery

11th November 2026
Day 3: Resilience, Motivation and Self Esteem
9-3 Virtual Delivery

9th December 2026
Day 4: Emotions and Emotional Regulation
9-3 Virtual Delivery

20th January 2026
Day 5: Bereavement and Loss, and the use of Story in ELSA work
9-3 Virtual Delivery

3rd February 2026
Day 6: Professional Development as an ELSA, Supervision and Implementation
Venue tbc: Will be within easy reach of Kent/Medway

9-3 (ELSAs’ only)

Course Fee Includes:

• Two face to face Training days (with lunch and refreshments)

• Four virtual training days

• Complete ELSAs Handbook and relevant hand outs

• Resource pack to support delivery in school

• Three supervision sessions (delivered virtually)

• Invitations to additional webinars and addition to the Steps Psychology ELSA register

Want to Learn More?

For further details about the ELSA role, research, and national standards, please visit the ELSA Network website: ELSA Network – Emotional Literacy Support Assistants.

Regular Price: £950

Early Bird Price: £850 (until 30th June 2026)

If you are a multi-academy trust and would like a bespoke package, please get in touch

Course Booking Terms and Conditions

1. Payment
Full payment must be made at the time of application in order to secure a place on the course. Bookings will only be confirmed once payment has been received.

2. Minimum Participant Numbers
This course requires a minimum of 15 participants to run. If the minimum number is not reached, the course may be cancelled. In this case, all bookings will be fully refunded and schools will be notified as soon as possible.

3. Cancellations by Schools
Schools may cancel their booking free of charge up to 6 weeks before the course start date.
Cancellations made within 6 weeks of the course start date will be eligible for a 50% refund.
Once the course has started, cancellations cannot be made and no refunds will be issued.

4. Participant Substitutions
Schools may substitute a participant at any time before the course start date, provided the replacement participant meets the course requirements.

5. Course Changes
We reserve the right to make reasonable changes to the course content, schedule, or venue if necessary. Schools will be informed of any significant changes as soon as possible.

6. Cancellation by the Organiser
In the unlikely event that the course must be cancelled by the organiser, all participants will receive a full refund of any fees paid.

7. Unforeseen Circumstances
We shall not be liable for any delay or failure to deliver the course where such delay or failure results from events beyond our reasonable control. This may include, but is not limited to, severe weather, illness, venue issues, travel disruption, government restrictions, or other unforeseen circumstances. In such cases, we will make reasonable efforts to reschedule the course or offer an alternative date.