This site is administrated by Southampton Psychology Service to support Emotional Literacy Support Assistants in Southampton and beyond.  

NEWS AND UPDATES (SUMMER 2026)

How is it June already?!?

• I'm not sure where the time has gone, but somehow we find ourselves in the final half-term of 2025/26.  If you're anything like me that brings mixed emotions - a warm feeling that the summer break is almost within touching distance, balanced against a mild panic about how much is left on the never ending 'to do' list!  With thanks to a conversation I had at one of our recent FuEL events, I've also made a 'ta da' list - one which shows all the things I've 'ticked off' already. I'm pleased to say it makes pretty decent reading!  Looking back does help us see all that we've achieved, giving us that extra energy for the final few weeks.  I wonder what would be on your one?

Looking Back at 2025/26...(and planning forwards to 26/27!)

• 2 initial training courses welcomed 32 new ELSAs to Southampton and surrounding areas - we have the final day of our Spring 26 Initial ELSA training course later this month.  

  • • Plans are under review to further develop our initial training offer, including a shift in scheduling, more 'active collaboration' with line managers, and an 'ELSA buddy' system all in the works.

• 3 termly FuEL events (6 in total), with great attendance and engagement from you all with 30-40 ELSAs coming together at each session.  It was exciting to further develop our 'Grow' sessions including a guest speaker travelling all the way from Cornwall to join us.  

  • • Please reach out if you have ideas or suggestions for future topics/speakers.

• Additional 'Remote Reflection' sessions were introduced for the alternate half-terms to our FuEL events - attendance and use of these increased across the year with positive feedback from participants.

  • • As I highlighted at summer FuEL, these will shift from 'opt in' to 'opt out' arrangements next year - we aim to be in touch about this later this half-term. 

• Our EL Conference '25 Years of Making a Difference' was a great celebration back in April.  It was wonderful to welcome back 'Adrian and the Original Five' - I know many, like me, left feeling inspired and reinvigorated from such a positive day together.  A summary of the day can be found here.

  • • Thanks for all the feedback your gave on your experience of the day. The EL Development Team have already reviewed this and are busy planning how best to use it to help us shape next year's event which we intend to keep placed early in the summer term - date tbc!

 ELSA Registration IS NOW LIVE!

• Our updated ELSA Registration Form is now live and available to download - we've also sent a copy out to all those on our distribution list.  Please remember, this system is set up to help protect and promote your CPD, with the hope of it being as smooth and easy a process as possible.  Alongside our 'core' cpd FuEL package, there are multiple 'additional' ways for you to tick off the 6 ELSA Credits required - it's designed to help, not stop you! 

• Take a look at the updated forms in our Registration section.  

Questions? Queries? Please just reach out to us via email.

AND FINALLY....

Although we always have more left to do, I'd just like to say a MASSIVE thank you for all you've already done, alongside the effort, skill and care you continue to bring to EL work across our city. 

Ed

Ed Sayer (Specialist EP, EL Lead)

Key Contacts:

• ed.sayer@southampton.gov.uk

• jackie.holgate@southampton.gov.uk