ALN  Intervention for Behaviour, Emotional and Social Development 

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ELSA

 

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 very own 'ELSA room' which provides a calm, safe space for the child to feel supported and nurtured.

Nurture Sessions

 

A nurture group is a school-based intervention run by two members of staff with up to twelve pupils. The aim is to replace missing early experiences by developing positive pupil relationships with both teachers and peers in a supportive environment.

Effective nurture group practice follows the six principles of nurture.

Our assessment tool the Boxall Profile® determines which pupils would require to be in the nurture group based on their social, emotional, and mental health needs.

Nurture groups are supported and recommended by organisations, such as Ofsted, Estyn and HMIE

Bucket Time

Bucket time is an approach to developing attention approach created by Gina Davies, with the aim of developing children's shared attention skills in a group setting.

During bucket time, the children are provided with motivating and visually exciting experiences that encourage them to focus their attention for extended periods of time and to take part in an adult-led group activity.

Although developed specifically with the needs of children on the Autistic spectrum in mind, Bucket Time can be a very useful tool for any children who struggle to engage with adult-led activities and to focus their attention.

Trauma Informed Approach (TIS) workshops

All staff delivering and working alongside children during TIS workshops have been trained to diploma level. The purpose of the session is to:

  • relate to children and young people in ways that alleviate their suffering, support their learning and make them feel cared for and appreciated
  • respond to children who are in distress/ stress states in ways that help them to emotionally regulate, feel psychologically safe and develop the capacity to handle stress well over time
  • relate with children in ways that enhance their self-esteem, confidence and feelings of psychological safety.
  • listen and empathise when children want to talk about painful issues and help them reflect and resolve

Lego Therapy 

Lego Based Therapy is a 12 week intervention to support the communication, cooperation and problem solving of a group of 3 children working to make a Lego Kit together. 

It aims to build confidence in peer to peer interaction and develop this independent of adults.

Lego-based therapy is an evidence based approach that aims to develop social communication skills in children, such as sharing, turn-taking, following rules, using names and problem-solving. 

In practice, children work in groups of three with each participant having a distinct role to build a Lego model collaboratively: 

  • Engineers use the Lego instructions and ask the Supplier for the specific pieces of Lego needed.
  • Suppliers gives the Builder the pieces.

Builders follow the building instructions from the Engineer in order to construct the model.