Season 5: Preparing for School

This episode is part of our Season 6 series, Helping Your Child Understand Their Journey, where we explore practical ways to support conversations about adoption, identity and belonging.Join host Eddie Elliott as he speaks with Sarah Naish, CEO of the Centre of Excellence in Child Trauma (COECT), about how children’s understanding of adoption shifts as they grow.Drawing on her experience as a former social worker, adoptive parent and leader in therapeutic parenting, Sarah explores how children’s questions and emotional responses change across different life stages. From early childhood through the teenage years, she shares how parents can adapt conversations to reflect a child’s development, curiosity and sense of identity.They discuss everyday emotional struggles at different ages, how to respond when a child doesn’t want to talk about adoption, and what signs might suggest a child needs additional support. The conversation also looks at the role of peer relationships, building confidence and self-acceptance, and approaching school-related situations such as bullying or family-based activities.Sarah also offers guidance on supporting teenagers who begin to question their identity more deeply, and how parents can stay steady and responsive as these conversations become more complex.This episode provides practical, experience-based insight for parents who want to keep conversations open, responsive and grounded as their child grows.Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team: Tweet us @WAFadoption #AdoptionShared Tweet Eddie @Eddielliott Email us [email protected] Join us www.wearefamilyadoption.org.ukWe prioritise the privacy of guests and their children. All identifying information has been changed or removed. We provide guidance to all guests about how and whether details of their adoption journey and their children’s stories are shared.

This episode is part of our Season 6 series, Helping Your Child Understand Their Journey, where we explore practical ways to support conversations about adoption, identity and belonging.Join host Eddie Elliott as he speaks with Toni about one of the questions adoptive parents often wrestle with: when do we start talking about adoption, and what do we actually say?Toni shares practical insight on how to make these conversations part of everyday family life rather than a single, high-pressure “big talk”. She discusses how children’s curiosity can ebb and flow, how to respond to tricky questions about birth families, and what to do if your child doesn’t seem interested in their story at all.They also explore the language that helps children feel secure, the common pitfalls parents can fall into, and how to prepare yourself emotionally so you can stay steady when difficult feelings arise.This episode offers thoughtful, practical guidance for parents who want to build honest, ongoing conversations that help their child understand their adoption story with confidence.Adoption Shared is a podcast brought to you by We Are Family. We believe every adoptive family deserves community. If you’d like to support our work, a donation helps us continue providing services and peer support across the UK. Find out more at wearefamilyadoption.org.uk/donate. Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team: Tweet us @WAFadoption #AdoptionShared Tweet Eddie @Eddielliott Email us [email protected] Join us www.wearefamilyadoption.org.ukWe prioritise the privacy of guests and their children. All identifying information has been changed or removed. We provide guidance to all guests about how and whether details of their adoption journey and their children’s stories are shared.

This episode is part of our Season 6 series, Helping Your Child Understand Their Journey, focusing on practical conversations about adoption, identity and belonging.Join host Eddie Elliott as he speaks with Skye Curtis-Guilhen, a dual-heritage adopter to two children and project lead at Yorkshire Adoption Agency, where she focuses on community engagement and supporting adopters from global majority backgrounds. Skye also delivers training, including life story work, and works as a social researcher and inclusive practice consultant specialising in equity-based trauma-informed practice.Eddie and Skye explore how birth families sit within a child’s sense of self, whether there is contact or not. They discuss how children’s questions can shift over time, what to say when curiosity grows, and how to respond when information is limited or difficult to explain. Skye shares ways parents can support children through loyalty conflicts, grief or confusion, and how to acknowledge heritage and history through meaningful conversations.They also talk about managing your own emotions so you can stay open when these discussions arise.This episode offers practical guidance for parents who want to support their child’s questions about where they come from while strengthening belonging at home.Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team: Tweet us @WAFadoption #AdoptionShared Tweet Eddie @Eddielliott Email us [email protected] Join us www.wearefamilyadoption.org.ukWe prioritise the privacy of guests and their children. All identifying information has been changed or removed. We provide guidance to all guests about how and whether details of their adoption journey and their children’s stories are shared.

Join host Eddie Elliott as he speaks with Fiona, an adoptee, adoptive parent, and mentor, about navigating education from both perspectives. With over 20 years of experience supporting women through challenging life circumstances, Fiona is dedicated to helping adoptees overcome emotional barriers and reach their full potential. As the founder of This is Me – I’m Adopted, she provides guidance to adoptees worldwide and has shared her personal journey in two books.In this episode, Fiona discusses how her own adoption experience shaped the way she prepared her child for school, the challenges she has faced as an adoptive parent, and the strategies she has found most effective in supporting emotional well-being in education. She shares insights from her mentorship work, offering practical advice for parents and schools on creating inclusive environments and advocating for the needs of adopted children.Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team: Tweet us @WAFadoption #AdoptionShared Tweet Eddie @Eddielliott Email us [email protected] Join us www.wearefamilyadoption.org.ukWe prioritise the privacy of guests and their children. All identifying information has been changed or removed. We provide guidance to all guests about how and whether details of their adoption journey and their children’s stories are shared.

Join host Eddie Elliott as he speaks with Kate Elliott, a mindfulness practitioner, parent mentor, and trainee counsellor, about supporting adopted children through the education system. As a parent to a child with developmental trauma, Kate understands the challenges families face and shares practical ways to help children feel secure and supported at school. They discuss strategies for managing emotional and behavioural difficulties, advocating for the right support, and working with teachers to create a more inclusive environment. Kate also reflects on how mindfulness and therapeutic parenting can help both children and parents navigate the complexities of education with greater confidence. Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team: Tweet us @WAFadoption #AdoptionShared Tweet Eddie @Eddielliott Email us [email protected] Join us www.wearefamilyadoption.org.ukWe prioritise the privacy of guests and their children. All identifying information has been changed or removed. We provide guidance to all guests about how and whether details of their adoption journey and their children’s stories are shared.

Join host Eddie Elliott as he speaks with Jody about how adoptive parents can support their child’s education at home. Jody shares practical approaches for helping with homework, creating a positive learning environment, and keeping children motivated. They discuss the unique challenges adoptive parents may face, how to balance educational needs with family dynamics, and the importance of strong communication with teachers. Plus, they explore useful tools and resources to make learning at home more effective and less stressful for everyone. Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team: Tweet us @WAFadoption #AdoptionShared Tweet Eddie @Eddielliott Email us [email protected] Join us www.wearefamilyadoption.org.ukWe prioritise the privacy of guests and their children. All identifying information has been changed or removed. We provide guidance to all guests about how and whether details of their adoption journey and their children’s stories are shared.

Join host Eddie Elliott as he speaks with Adele Bates, a behaviour and education specialist and author of "Miss, I Don’t Give a Sht: Engaging with Challenging Behaviour in Schools."* Adele shares her expertise on recognising behaviour as a form of communication, the importance of trauma-informed approaches, and strategies for building strong relationships with students who may be disengaged or resistant. They discuss practical ways to create supportive learning environments, equip teachers with the right tools, and bridge the gap between policy and effective classroom practice. Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team: Tweet us @WAFadoption #AdoptionShared Tweet Eddie @Eddielliott Email us [email protected] Join us www.wearefamilyadoption.org.ukWe prioritise the privacy of guests and their children. All identifying information has been changed or removed. We provide guidance to all guests about how and whether details of their adoption journey and their children’s stories are shared.

Join host Eddie Elliott as he speaks with Lesley-Ann from NeuroHarmony about addressing behavioural challenges in adopted children. Helen shares insights into understanding the root causes of these behaviours and how they can be linked to a child’s early experiences. They discuss collaborative approaches between parents and educators, practical strategies for managing challenges, and the importance of providing emotional support to help children thrive.Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team: Tweet us @WAFadoption #AdoptionShared Tweet Eddie @Eddielliott Email us [email protected] Join us www.wearefamilyadoption.org.ukWe prioritise the privacy of guests and their children. All identifying information has been changed or removed. We provide guidance to all guests about how and whether details of their adoption journey and their children’s stories are shared.

Join host Eddie Elliott as he sits down with Yoni Ejo, CEO of Diversity Adopt, to explore the educational challenges adopted children face, especially when it comes to cultural identity. Yoni shares her story of preparing for her child’s schooling, reflecting on the importance of understanding their cultural and personal background. Yoni discusses how parents and teachers can work together to support adopted children and ensure their educational and cultural needs are met. Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team: Tweet us @WAFadoption #AdoptionShared Tweet Eddie @Eddielliott Email us [email protected] Join us www.wearefamilyadoption.org.ukWe prioritise the privacy of guests and their children. All identifying information has been changed or removed. We provide guidance to all guests about how and whether details of their adoption journey and their children’s stories are shared.

Join host Eddie Elliott as he sits down with Julie Harmieson, Director of Education and National Strategy for Trauma Informed Schools UK, to talk about trauma-informed practices in schools, especially for adopted children. Julie shares her experience in creating classrooms that support students' emotional and psychological needs and covers practical strategies for teachers, the challenges schools face, and the real benefits of trauma-informed approaches for all adopted students. Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team: Tweet us @WAFadoption #AdoptionShared Tweet Eddie @Eddielliott Email us [email protected] Join us www.wearefamilyadoption.org.ukWe prioritise the privacy of guests and their children. All identifying information has been changed or removed. We provide guidance to all guests about how and whether details of their adoption journey and their children’s stories are shared.