Emotional Literacy Support Assistant

Job Title: Emotional Literacy Support Assistant
Location: North Yorkshire
Contract: Part Time, Term Time Only
Start Date: September 2026 or sooner
Salary: £92 - £115 per day

Help young people develop emotional resilience, confidence, and the skills they need to thrive in education and everyday life!

GSL Education are currently recruiting for a caring and proactive Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA) to work within schools across North Yorkshire.

This is a rewarding opportunity to support students' emotional wellbeing and personal development, helping them overcome challenges that may impact their learning, relationships, and overall school experience. The successful candidate will play a key role in fostering positive emotional health and creating an environment where students feel supported, understood, and empowered to succeed.

About the Role:

As an Emotional Literacy Support Assistant, you will work closely with students who may require additional emotional support due to anxiety, low self-esteem, friendship difficulties, bereavement, emotional regulation challenges, or other barriers affecting their wellbeing and engagement in school.

You will deliver targeted interventions, provide individual and small-group support, and work collaboratively with pastoral teams, teaching staff, and families to help students develop coping strategies, resilience, and confidence.

Core Responsibilities of the Emotional Literacy Support Assistant:

* Deliver emotional wellbeing interventions to individual students and small groups
* Support learners in developing emotional awareness, self-confidence, and resilience
* Assist students in managing feelings, behaviour, and social interactions effectively
* Build positive and trusting relationships that encourage openness and engagement
* Support students experiencing emotional, social, or personal challenges
* Liaise with teaching staff, pastoral teams, and parents/carers where appropriate
* Monitor and record student progress, maintaining accurate and confidential records
* Promote a positive and inclusive school culture that prioritises wellbeing
* Contribute to safeguarding and welfare procedures in line with school policies

As the Ideal Emotional Literacy Support Assistant, You Should Have:

* Experience working with children or young people in education, pastoral care, youth work, counselling support, mentoring, or similar settings
* Strong communication and active listening skills
* A calm, empathetic, and non-judgemental approach
* Ability to build rapport and establish positive relationships with students
* Understanding of emotional wellbeing, mental health, and child development
* Strong organisational skills and attention to detail
* Ability to maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality
* ELSA training or relevant wellbeing-focused qualifications would be advantageous but are not essential

To Work with GSL Education, You Must:

* Have the right to work in the UK
* Provide an up-to-date CV with relevant reference information covering the last 2 years
* Have recent experience working with children or young people
* Hold an Enhanced DBS on the Update Service or be willing to apply for one

If you are passionate about supporting young people's emotional wellbeing and are looking for an opportunity to make a meaningful impact across schools in North Yorkshire, we welcome your application.

GSL Education are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All applicants will be subject to safer recruitment checks including an enhanced DBS check registered to the update service (or willingness to apply for one), satisfactory references, and verification of qualifications and right to work in the UK.

To apply to work with GSL Education as a Emotional Literacy Support Assistant in North Yorkshire, or to find out more, please contact Kerry Fowler at GSL Education and submit an up-to-date CV via the application link.