ELSA & Nurture at Ysgol y Graig
Supporting children to feel safe, understood and ready to learn.
At Ysgol y Graig, we recognise that some children may need additional emotional or social support at different points in their school journey.
Our ELSA and nurture approaches are designed to provide children with a safe, supportive space where they can develop confidence, understand their emotions and build the skills they need to manage everyday challenges.
These approaches sit alongside the care and support children receive from their class teacher and wider school team.
What is ELSA?
ELSA stands for Emotional Literacy Support Assistant.
ELSA support is designed to help children develop emotional and social skills through planned, targeted support.
An ELSA may work with a child individually or in a small group, depending on the child's needs.
What Can ELSA Support Help With?ELSA work may support children with areas such as:
What is Nurture?
Nurture is an approach based on the understanding that positive relationships, safety and a sense of belonging are essential for learning.
Some children may need additional opportunities to:
What Might Nurture Look Like?Nurture support may include:
Who Might Access ELSA or Nurture Support?Children may access ELSA or nurture support for a wide range of reasons.
For example, a child may:
For many children, the support may be short-term and focused on a particular need.
How Is Support Identified?A need for ELSA or nurture support may be identified through:
Working With FamiliesWhere appropriate, we will involve families in discussions about support.
Parents and carers may be asked to share information about:
Building IndependenceELSA and nurture support are not about creating long-term dependence on an adult.
Our aim is to help children develop strategies, confidence and skills that they can increasingly use for themselves.
Over time, children may become better able to:
A Safe and Supportive ApproachChildren need to feel that they are listened to and treated with respect.
ELSA and nurture sessions are designed to be positive and supportive.
Adults will always follow the school's safeguarding procedures if a child shares information that suggests they or someone else may be at risk.
Need to Talk to Us?
If you think your child may benefit from additional emotional or nurture support, please speak to their class teacher in the first instance.
We can then consider what support may be most appropriate.
At Ysgol y Graig, nurture means more than an intervention.
It means creating a school where children feel: safe, known, understood, supported and ready to learn.
Supporting children to feel safe, understood and ready to learn.
At Ysgol y Graig, we recognise that some children may need additional emotional or social support at different points in their school journey.
Our ELSA and nurture approaches are designed to provide children with a safe, supportive space where they can develop confidence, understand their emotions and build the skills they need to manage everyday challenges.
These approaches sit alongside the care and support children receive from their class teacher and wider school team.
What is ELSA?
ELSA stands for Emotional Literacy Support Assistant.
ELSA support is designed to help children develop emotional and social skills through planned, targeted support.
An ELSA may work with a child individually or in a small group, depending on the child's needs.
What Can ELSA Support Help With?ELSA work may support children with areas such as:
- recognising and understanding emotions
- self-esteem and confidence
- friendship skills
- social interaction
- anxiety and worry
- managing strong feelings
- coping with change
- loss and bereavement
- resilience
- problem-solving.
What is Nurture?
Nurture is an approach based on the understanding that positive relationships, safety and a sense of belonging are essential for learning.
Some children may need additional opportunities to:
- build trusting relationships
- develop confidence
- practise social skills
- understand routines and expectations
- regulate emotions
- develop independence
- feel successful.
What Might Nurture Look Like?Nurture support may include:
- small-group activities
- structured routines
- emotional check-ins
- games and activities that build communication
- work on friendships and relationships
- opportunities to develop confidence
- calming and regulation strategies
- practical activities
- support with transitions.
Who Might Access ELSA or Nurture Support?Children may access ELSA or nurture support for a wide range of reasons.
For example, a child may:
- be experiencing anxiety
- have low self-esteem
- be struggling with friendships
- find change difficult
- be experiencing bereavement or loss
- find emotional regulation challenging
- need support to build confidence
- benefit from a safe space to talk.
For many children, the support may be short-term and focused on a particular need.
How Is Support Identified?A need for ELSA or nurture support may be identified through:
- class teacher observations
- discussions with parents or carers
- pupil voice
- pastoral concerns
- changes in behaviour or engagement
- wider monitoring of wellbeing.
Working With FamiliesWhere appropriate, we will involve families in discussions about support.
Parents and carers may be asked to share information about:
- what they are noticing at home
- any recent changes or challenges
- what helps their child
- any concerns they have.
Building IndependenceELSA and nurture support are not about creating long-term dependence on an adult.
Our aim is to help children develop strategies, confidence and skills that they can increasingly use for themselves.
Over time, children may become better able to:
- recognise emotions
- ask for help appropriately
- manage difficult situations
- communicate their needs
- solve problems
- cope with change
- build positive relationships.
A Safe and Supportive ApproachChildren need to feel that they are listened to and treated with respect.
ELSA and nurture sessions are designed to be positive and supportive.
Adults will always follow the school's safeguarding procedures if a child shares information that suggests they or someone else may be at risk.
Need to Talk to Us?
If you think your child may benefit from additional emotional or nurture support, please speak to their class teacher in the first instance.
We can then consider what support may be most appropriate.
At Ysgol y Graig, nurture means more than an intervention.
It means creating a school where children feel: safe, known, understood, supported and ready to learn.