Other wellbeing approaches and tools
More wellbeing approaches and tools used in West Sussex
9 September 2025
On this page, you will find alternative wellbeing approaches to the Therapeutic Thinking approach.
Thrive
The Thrive approach package includes tools and training grounded in neuroscience, attachment theory, child development, play and the creative arts. It has been developed over the past 25 years, drawing on a wealth of experience in social work, psychotherapy and education.
At its heart is the understanding that all children’s behaviour a communication of their underlying needs. If these needs are recognised and met, children and young people will be able to flourish and learn.
Thrive does not ask what has happened in a child or young person’s past. Instead, it assesses the child’s current developmental needs and provides solutions to address them. The Thrive approach equips you with the tools and training needed to help children and young people become ready to learn and thrive.
The package includes training for Thrive practitioners and subscription to an online tool. The tool is designed to:
- clearly and systematically identify the social and emotional needs of the children and young people you are working with
- profile whole groups as well as individual pupils identified as having additional needs
- action-plan at a group and individual level, with a raft of strategies and age-appropriate activities to incorporate in your lesson planning that will support social and emotional development
- measure and report on the progress of whole groups and individuals over time.
Find out more about Thrive
Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA)
Emotional Literacy Support Assistants (ELSA) is an educational psychology led intervention promoting the emotional wellbeing of children and young people (CYP).
Teaching Assistants receive training and resources to deliver ELSA interventions. Their school must with individual children and small groups - typically one day per week. Schools must commit to provide the ELSA with time and space to plan, deliver and evaluate interventions with individual children and small groups (typically at least one day per week).
To ensure success, headteachers should select a warm, calm, enthusiastic, creative, skilled, independent and empathetic TA to train as an ELSA. You can email to request a person specification and job description. Schools must also commit to long term support of the programme through funding and ongoing supervision. Supervision sessions are delivered half-termly by an educational psychologist which are vital to their ongoing support. Attendance is a requirement of being an ELSA. Supervision costs approximately £225 for 6 sessions.
ELSA training consists of
- a teaching assistant attending 6 full days of training in emotional literacy and intervention planning delivered over one term - 2 half day and 5 full day sessions - all ELSAs need to attend every training day. The ELSAs line manager needs to attend the second half day session which is delivered online
- training topics:
- raising emotional awareness
- building resilience and self-esteem
- managing emotions
- social and friendship skills
- loss and bereavement
- using therapeutic and social stories
- active listening and reflective conversations.
- refreshments on each training day.
- 2 published resources: ‘Emotional Wellbeing: An Introductory Handbook’ and ‘Excellent ELSAs’ as well as full course electronic notes.
Email for more information
Education for Safeguarding (E4S)
For more information about Education for Safeguarding, view the website.
Other tools and approaches
Schools and settings across West Sussex use a range of other tools and approaches, for example:
- restorative
- Attachment aware
- trauma informed.
We plan to add to our wellbeing area on these approaches.
If you have any good examples of practice that you would like to share, email toolsforschools@westsussex.gov.uk.