We are able to offer support to children who are experiencing a range of emotions including bereavement, anxiety and heightened emotions amongst others. Our support is led by Miss Garner and Mrs Bettesworth who have been trained by Educational Psychologists to plan and deliver programmes of support to pupils who are experiencing temporary or longer term additional emotional needs. There will always be young people in schools facing life challenges that detract from their ability to engage with learning. Some will require greater support to increase their emotional literacy than others.

ELSA

Mrs Bettesworth leads our ELSA provision -  ELSA is an initiative developed and supported by educational psychologists. It recognises that children learn better and are happier in school if their emotional needs are also addressed. The majority of ELSA work is delivered on an individual basis, but sometimes small group work is more appropriate, especially in the areas of social and friendship skills. Sessions are fun, we use a range of activities such as: games, role-play with puppets or arts and craft. ELSA sessions take place in our ELSA room, “The Skylight Room” which provides a calm, safe space for the child to feel supported and nurtured.

TALA

Miss Garner leads our parent contacts and TALA provision. TALA offers an emotionally safe and supportive space in which pupils can explore their feelings and experiences. They are heard by the practitioner on a deep level using active listening. Practitioners listen to a child's views, experiences and feelings without judgement in an atmosphere of respect and empathy based on a secure and trusting working relationship.

The child has a regular slot during the week for a targeted period of time (around 30-45 mins). It usually runs for around six weeks but can be longer. Sessions are confidential, offering the child an opportunity to talk about things that concern them.

The sessions are one to one and are very pupil led involving play-based activities where required.

Not only does TALA offer a child a safe place to talk, it supports them in many other areas:

• Cope better with issues, concerns and situations
• Achieve some level of understanding with regard to thoughts, emotions and behaviours
• Accept their limitations and strengths and feel OK about them
• Change behaviours which have negative consequences
• Look at things differently
• Maximise the opportunity to reach their full potential
• Empowers pupils to find their own resolutions and build resilience for the future.

TALA and ELSA do have differences. ELSA involves the identification of specific emotional literacy targets towards which the child works, guided by the ELSA through a carefully planned programme of support. Whilst ELSA's deliver skills-based programmes, TALA's sessions are more pupil led with the TALA practitioner facilitating a helping conversation using counselling practices.