ELSA


Company:	Harris Federation
Salary:	£30,288 - £32,070
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	London, SE25 6EJ
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	24 Aug 2026
Closing date:	23 Sept 2026

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Summary

About UsHarris Professional Skills Sixth Form is a unique sixth form, established to provide an outstanding vocational education and preparation for skills-based work or transition to university for students in Croydon and the surrounding boroughs. 

Part of the Harris Federation, which runs highly successful primary and secondary academies across London, Harris Professional Skills Sixth Form caters for students who may not suit the traditional pathways at post-16. With small class sizes and strong pastoral support, we offer excellent, focused vocational options as well as the opportunity to take or resit GCSEs that students need to progress further – whether they choose to progress into a career or higher education. The academy also has a small Alternative Provision supporting students with a high level of need.

Our academy offers a choice of Engineering, Health and Social Care, Business, Media, Science and Art along with resit opportunities in Maths and English Language GCSE for students choosing a vocational pathway, providing a curriculum that will challenge and inspire them to develop the skills and confidence they need to compete successfully for jobs in their chosen vocation.  SummaryWe are looking for an Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA) to join our small team at Harris Professional Skills Sixth Form.

The actual salary for this role will be £26,129.22-£27,666.54 (39 weeks per year, 37.5 hours per week). Main Areas of ResponsibilityThe purpose of your role will be:

To work with individual children or in groups of children who are experiencing difficulties with emotional literacy or other aspects of school or home life as identified by the class teacher or any other significant adult.

To support children with emotional and behavioural difficulties to enable them to effectively access the curriculum.

To support and encourage a learning environment throughout the school which allows children to acquire and develop emotional literacy skills.

To develop knowledge of a range of learning and behavioural support needs and to plan, devise and implement appropriate programmes to help develop children’s emotional literacy skills and emotional well-being.

Qualifications & ExperienceWe would like to hear from you if you have:

GCSE (or equivalent) in English and Maths – Grade C or above

NVQ Level 3, or equivalent

Knowledge of Microsoft software

Good knowledge of a range of learning barriers including special needs

Experience of contributing to and assessing of provision for children with a range of needs

Some knowledge of some of the social issues facing students from disadvantaged background

For a full job description and person specification, please download the Job Pack. Rewards & BenefitsOur people are at the heart of our success. We have developed a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. We invest in our staff with support, coaching, mentoring, and a wide range of top-quality training programmes delivered at every level.

In addition to the opportunities for career development and progression, we also offer a competitive rewards and benefits package which includes our Harris Allowance for teachers on MPS/UPS, a Performance and Loyalty Bonus, Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions, a Wellbeing Cash Plan and many other benefits. Learn more about our benefits on our website.Safeguarding NoticeThe Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, references, an online search, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed.Equal OpportunitiesThe Harris Federation is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

We value the diversity of our staff and students, and everyone at the Harris Federation is equally valued and respected. We aim to be an inclusive employer that reflects the communities we serve. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment. Next StepsIf you have any questions about this opportunity, please send us an email, or call to arrange a conversation.

Before applying, please download the Job Pack for full details on the job responsibilities and person specification. This will be helpful for you when completing your application, and throughout the recruitment process.

We encourage you to apply as soon as possible as we may interview and offer to a candidate before the closing date. Please note that we only accept applications submitted before the closing date via our careers website.

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