ELSA
Oasis House
At The Peak Academy we have a house in which we use for therapeutic interventions. Our house is called the OASIS house. OASIS- Offering A Safe and Inclusive Space.
The house is managed by Lisa Sawyer who is our therapy manager, ELSA and LEGO play therapist.
Inside the house is a calm and welcoming environment in which various therapeutic interventions take place for students, individually and in group work.
The house offers an ELSA room, LEGO play room and also a sensory room, which is full of soft lights, bean bags and speaker playing soft, soothing music. We also have a larger room called The Hive, which we have sofas, cushions and bean bags. This offers a homely space for students to come and relax, play games and socialise.
What is an ELSA?
An Emotional Literacy Support Assistant. They are trained and supervised by Educational Psychologists to support children experiencing emotional or social difficulties. We recognise that children learn better and feel safer if their emotional needs are being met. ELSA’s provide time and space for students and helps them learn how to manage their own feelings and emotions better. We have a dedicated ELSA room for this to happen.
How does ELSA work?
Students are usually referred for ELSA support by their class teachers but can also be referred by their parents/carers. A referral will identify key areas to focus on. ELSA’s then plan sessions to facilitate the students in developing new skills and coping strategies that allow them to manage social and emotional demands more effectively. Sessions initially last 6 weeks, following a review to reflect on whether the support needs to be continued.
Sessions are designed to be enjoyable and may take place in the form of craft, games, carton strips, social stories, depending upon the needs or preference of the individual.
Once sessions are completed, the young person will hopefully be able to implement and transfer any guidance and new skills taught into their routine. Future support may be required, with a similar /different focus, in which case the child can be re-referred back to ELSA for additional sessions.
Supporting, not fixing
ELSA’s are not there to fix problems or to take them away. An ELSA’s aim is to establish a respectful relationship and provide emotional support. Change can not be achieved rapidly and is dependent upon the context and complexity of the presenting issues.
LEGO play therapy
LEGO play therapy is a structured play approach that uses LEGO bricks to help children improve their social skills and communication abilities. LEGO play therapy involves building LEGO models in small groups or pairs where children take on different roles and work together. The children are encouraged to practice turn taking, sharing, joint problem-solving and general social communication skills.
These sessions last for a period of 6 weeks and take place in the LEGO play room.