Emotional Literacy Supoort Assistant (ELSA)

Discovery Primary Academy, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, PE4 6HX

12 days remaining to apply

• Closing date

  29 June 2026 at 9am

• Date listed

  16 June 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Pastoral, health and welfare
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Part time
• Contract type: Fixed term
• Full-time equivalent salary: £23,530.00 Annually (Actual) The salary includes a Recruitment and Retention payment of £1,500 to obtain an Early Years Level 3 SENCo qualification. Grade 6.

Emotional Literacy Supoort Assistant (ELSA) job summary

This is an exciting opportunity for a dedicated and compassionate individual to play a key role in supporting pupils to develop resilience, build positive relationships, and thrive both emotionally and academically. Discovery Primary Academy are currently reducing published admisson numbers (PAN). This role is temporary, fixed term until 31st August 2028 to support the inplementation of Incluison across Early Years and Year One.

Specific Duties:

Deliver targeted emotional literacy interventions (1:1 and small groups) under SENCo guidance

Support pupils with emotional regulation, self-esteem, anxiety, friendships, and behaviour linked to emotional needs

Create a safe, nurturing, and inclusive environment

Use a range of therapeutic approaches including play-based activities, mindfulness, stories, and structured resources

Monitor and evaluate pupil progress, providing feedback to staff

Follow safeguarding and child protection procedures at all times

Engage in ongoing training related to emotional literacy and mental health and in relation to the Assistant SENCo role.

Contribute to the wider life of the school, including enrichment activities

Complete referrals to outside agencies

Liaise with parents and professionals coming into school

Support parents with tasks such as filling in DLA forms and SEN paperwork.

Hold and record meetings relating to children’s learning and emotional needs.

Record provisions and needs and support other staff in doing this (following training) on Edukey.

You will be someone who is:

Is a qualified ELSA

Is passionate about supporting children’s emotional wellbeing

Has experience working with children with additional needs

Is calm, empathetic, and able to build strong relationships

Has excellent communication and teamwork skills and experience of working closely with parents.

Is efficient and thorough when completing paperwork and using IT

Is committed to inclusion and safeguarding

Has a genuine interest in developing into an Assistant SENCo role, particularly within Early Years

If you are interested in visiting our academy, please phone or email the academy office on 01733 325001 or message via MyNewTerm

Please refer to the job description when applying; outlining what skills, qualities and experience you think you can offer.

Discovery Primary Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Successful applicants will be required to complete an enhanced DBS disclosure.

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

Commitment to safeguarding

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.

Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.

Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children

You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.

Applying for the job

This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

About Discovery Primary Academy

• School type: Academy, ages 4 to 11
• Education phase: Primary school
• School size: 456 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 4 to 11
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Discovery Primary Academy website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/discovery-primary-academy

Discovery Primary Academy with currently 500 children on roll, is on an exciting journey of school improvement and continues to strive to make a real difference to the lives of our children. The successful candidate will join our growing team at Discovery which is an Academy within the Four C’s Multi Academy Trust. The Four C’s vision is to ensure that every student succeeds; build on what learners already know; make learning vivid and real; make learning an enjoyable experience; and enrich the learning experience that we offer.

School location

Get a job alert when similar jobs are listed

Find more school jobs in Peterborough and Cambridgeshire and Peterborough