At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children’s emotional wellbeing and help them thrive in school.
- Company: Tradewind Recruitment, dedicated to improving young people's lives.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, flexible hours, and access to free professional development courses.
- Other info: Join a supportive community and enjoy various work opportunities across Northamptonshire.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Experience with children’s emotional needs; ELSA training is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 33483 £ per year.
Tradewind Recruitment is currently seeking compassionate, resilient, and enthusiastic Emotional Support Learning Assistants (ELSAs) to work within a range of primary, secondary, SEN, and alternative provision settings across Northamptonshire. This is an excellent opportunity for an individual who is passionate about supporting children and young people with their emotional wellbeing, social development, and mental health. You will play an important role in helping pupils to overcome barriers to learning, build confidence, develop positive relationships, and feel safe and supported within the school environment.
As an ELSA, you may work with pupils on a one-to-one basis or in small groups, delivering targeted emotional literacy interventions. You will support children with a variety of needs, including anxiety, low self-esteem, friendship difficulties, emotional regulation, bereavement, behaviour challenges, SEMH needs, and school avoidance.
The Role Will Include:
- Delivering emotional wellbeing interventions to pupils on a one-to-one and small-group basis
- Supporting children to understand and manage their emotions
- Helping pupils to develop coping strategies, resilience, confidence, and self-esteem
- Supporting pupils with anxiety, emotional regulation, friendship issues, bereavement, and transitions
- Working closely with class teachers, SENCOs, pastoral teams, safeguarding leads, and parents/carers
- Creating a safe, nurturing, and inclusive environment for pupils
- Supporting pupils to engage positively in learning and school life
- Recording progress, observations, and outcomes from interventions
- Supporting behaviour management using a calm, patient, and trauma-informed approach
- Following school safeguarding, behaviour, and wellbeing policies at all times
- Adapting support to meet the individual needs outlined in EHCPs, support plans, or pastoral plans
- Building strong and trusting relationships with pupils who may find school challenging
We Are Looking For:
- Previous experience supporting children or young people with SEMH, behavioural, pastoral, or emotional needs
- ELSA training or relevant qualifications in mental health, counselling, psychology, youth work, social care, or education would be desirable
- A calm, empathetic, and approachable nature
- Strong communication and relationship-building skills
- The ability to remain professional and resilient in challenging situations
- A genuine passion for improving outcomes for vulnerable children and young people
- An Enhanced DBS on the Update Service, or willingness to apply for one through Tradewind Recruitment
Why Work Through Tradewind Recruitment?
- Competitive daily rates, paid weekly
- Flexible work to suit your availability
- Long-term, temporary-to-permanent, and permanent opportunities available
- Access to over 2,500 free CPD courses through The National College
- Dedicated support from a specialist Northamptonshire SEN and alternative provision consultant
- Opportunities to work in a variety of supportive schools across Northamptonshire
If you are an experienced ELSA, Learning Mentor, Pastoral Support Worker, Teaching Assistant, Youth Worker, or Mental Health Support Worker looking for a rewarding role, we would love to hear from you.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Emotional Support Learning Assistant
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Tradewind Recruitment.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Tradewind Recruitment!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Tradewind Recruitment, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Tradewind Recruitment or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Emotional Support Learning Assistant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Tradewind Recruitment:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Tradewind Recruitment! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Tradewind Recruitment
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
