Join host Eddie Elliott as he sits down with Jessie, who shares her journey of adopting siblings with additional needs. Throughout the conversation, Jessie offers invaluable insights into the adoption process, preparation, and emotional aspects. With candid discussion of challenges faced, Jessie emphasises the crucial role of supportive professionals in navigating the adoption journey effectively.Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team:Tweet us @WAFadoption #AdoptionShared*Tweet Eddie @Eddielliott*Email us hello@wearefamilyadoption.org.uk*Join us www.wearefamilyadoption.org.ukWe prioritise the privacy of guests and their children. All identifying information has been changed or removed. We provide guidelines to all of our guests about how and whether information about their adoption journey and the stories of their children should be shared.

Join host Eddie Elliott as he sits down with Stephen, a dedicated father and experienced educator, to discuss the challenges and triumphs of advocating for children with special educational needs (SEN). From the intricacies of securing an Education Health Care Plan (EHCP) to the conversations between mainstream versus special schooling, Stephen shares his wealth of knowledge and personal experiences. Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team:Tweet us @WAFadoption #AdoptionShared*Tweet Eddie @Eddielliott*Email us hello@wearefamilyadoption.org.uk*Join us www.wearefamilyadoption.org.ukWe prioritise the privacy of guests and their children. All identifying information has been changed or removed. We provide guidelines to all of our guests about how and whether information about their adoption journey and the stories of their children should be shared.

In this episode, Eddie meets Esther who speaks about building resilient families and her journey with adoption.  Esther also shares her work with the SEND Survival Guide and Emotional Freedom Tapping technique. Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team:Tweet us @WAFadoption #AdoptionShared*Tweet Eddie @Eddielliott*Email us hello@wearefamilyadoption.org.uk*Join us www.wearefamilyadoption.org.ukWe prioritise the privacy of guests and their children. All identifying information has been changed or removed. We provide guidelines to all of our guests about how and whether information about their adoption journey and the stories of their children should be shared.

In this episode, Eddie meets Andrew who candidly shares his family's experience adopting a child with additional needs. Gain insights into the realities and hurdles faced by families navigating this unique journey.Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team:Tweet us @WAFadoption #AdoptionShared*Tweet Eddie @Eddielliott*Email us hello@wearefamilyadoption.org.uk*Join us www.wearefamilyadoption.org.ukWe prioritise the privacy of guests and their children. All identifying information has been changed or removed. We provide guidelines to all of our guests about how and whether information about their adoption journey and the stories of their children should be shared.

This talk is part of our Big Give Christmas Challenge fundraising campaign . In exchange for listening, we ask that you make a donation at any level that you can, to our Big Give Christmas Challenge Fundraising Campaign - between midday 28th November to midday 5th November - raising vital funds to continue the work of We Are Family into our next decade.In this episode, Eddie meets We Are Family Co-Founders Miranda and Marie Louise for a very special episode celebrating WAF's 10th Anniversary.  Listen to Miranda and Marie Louise share their experiences of why they created We Are Family Adoption and the need for peer to peer communities for adopters.Membership to We Are Family is free – please help us keep it that way. The Big Give donation platform will be live to accept donations between Tuesday 28th November at midday to Tuesday 6th December midday. During this time, any donation made will be doubled at no extra cost to you. One donation, double the impact. Visit our website for more details: https://wearefamilyadoption.org.uk/A message from our Co-Founders: "Marie Louise and Miranda would like to extend a massive “thank you” to all those who have been instrumental in forming We Are Family and have kept it going over the last decade. To all our past and present members, volunteers and trustees who work hard to keep a safe space for adopters to meet. To the social workers, professionals and Heads of Service, who heard us, listened and who continue to support us. To Jay and Eddie who work continuously to bring together a wide range of webinars and podcasts, which enable WAF to further support members, adopters and others beyond WAF.  And lastly to the dedicated members of staff who continue WAF’s mission. Thank you all!"Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team:Tweet us @WAFadoption #AdoptionShared*Tweet Eddie @Eddielliott*Email us hello@wearefamilyadoption.org.uk*Join us www.wearefamilyadoption.org.ukWe prioritise the privacy of guests and their children. All identifying information has been changed or removed. We provide guidelines to all of our guests about how and whether information about their adoption journey and the stories of their children should be shared.

Eddie meets Audrey Bouazizi, Head of Service for Adopt London South, part of the Adopt London RAA (Regional Adoption Agency) as she shares her experiences as a professional working in adoption and her views on the experiences of Black people within the adoption journey. Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team:Tweet us @WAFadoption #AdoptionShared*Tweet Eddie @Eddielliott*Email us hello@wearefamilyadoption.org.uk*Join us www.wearefamilyadoption.org.ukWe prioritise the privacy of guests and their children. All identifying information has been changed or removed. We provide guidelines to all of our guests about how and whether information about their adoption journey and the stories of their children should be shared.

Eddie meets Tony who together with his white partner adopted sibling boys who are mixed heritage and white.  Tony shares his family's story and how they celebrate and understand their unique identities alongside navigating and embracing contact with the boys' birth mum. Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team:Tweet us @WAFadoption #AdoptionShared*Tweet Eddie @Eddielliott*Email us hello@wearefamilyadoption.org.uk*Join us www.wearefamilyadoption.org.ukWe prioritise the privacy of guests and their children. All identifying information has been changed or removed. We provide guidelines to all of our guests about how and whether information about their adoption journey and the stories of their children should be shared.

Eddies meets Esther and hears about her journey to adopt siblings as a single parent.  Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team:Tweet us @WAFadoption #AdoptionShared*Tweet Eddie @Eddielliott*Email us hello@wearefamilyadoption.org.uk*Join us www.wearefamilyadoption.org.ukWe prioritise the privacy of guests and their children. All identifying information has been changed or removed. We provide guidelines to all of our guests about how and whether information about their adoption journey and the stories of their children should be shared.

Eddie sits down with Mike, who was adopted as a baby and has since made contact with his birth family.  Together they explore Mike's experience of growing up adopted, making contact and developing relationships with his birth family.Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team:Tweet us @WAFadoption #AdoptionShared*Tweet Eddie @Eddielliott*Email us hello@wearefamilyadoption.org.uk*Join us www.wearefamilyadoption.org.ukWe prioritise the privacy of guests and their children. All identifying information has been changed or removed. We provide guidelines to all of our guests about how and whether information about their adoption journey and the stories of their children should be shared.

In the first episode of this exciting season of Adoption Shared Black Voices, our host Eddie Elliott shares his story of becoming an adoptive dad with his good friend, and well known actress, Victoria Ekanoye.Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team:Tweet us @WAFadoption #AdoptionShared*Tweet Eddie @Eddielliott*Email us hello@wearefamilyadoption.org.uk*Join us www.wearefamilyadoption.org.ukWe prioritise the privacy of guests and their children. All identifying information has been changed or removed. We provide guidelines to all of our guests about how and whether information about their adoption journey and the stories of their children should be shared.

Eddie is joined by Jane, who is a step mum, birth mum, and adoptive mum of three boys.  Jane shares her family's adoption journey  and how their family dynamics have changed and developed over time. Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team:Tweet us @WAFadoption #AdoptionShared*Tweet Eddie @Eddielliott*Email us hello@wearefamilyadoption.org.uk*Join us www.wearefamilyadoption.org.ukWe prioritise the privacy of guests and their children. All identifying information has been changed or removed. We provide guidelines to all of our guests about how and whether information about their adoption journey and the stories of their children should be shared.

Eddie sits down with Jane Griffiths of CAPA First Response to talk about child to parent abuse. Together they explore what it is, the root causes and how trauma can impact, and the support available for the whole family when there is  child to parent abuse in the home.Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team:Tweet us @WAFadoption #AdoptionShared*Tweet Eddie @Eddielliott*Email us hello@wearefamilyadoption.org.uk*Join us www.wearefamilyadoption.org.ukWe prioritise the privacy of guests and their children. All identifying information has been changed or removed. We provide guidelines to all of our guests about how and whether information about their adoption journey and the stories of their children should be shared.

Eddie talks to Victoria Bagnall, co-founder of Connections in Mind to explore Executive Functioning : what it is; the impact that challenges with executive functioning can have; how trauma impacts executive functioning; and how we can support our children to develop their executive functioning skills to better regulate their emotions, manage their time and belongings, and to engage with learning - to name just a few!Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team:Tweet us @WAFadoption #AdoptionShared*Tweet Eddie @Eddielliott*Email us hello@wearefamilyadoption.org.uk*Join us www.wearefamilyadoption.org.ukWe prioritise the privacy of guests and their children. All identifying information has been changed or removed. We provide guidelines to all of our guests about how and whether information about their adoption journey and the stories of their children should be shared.

Eddie talks to Amanda about her experience of adoption, working and living with trauma, embracing fear and finding support.Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team:Tweet us @WAFadoption #AdoptionShared*Tweet Eddie @Eddielliott*Email us hello@wearefamilyadoption.org.uk*Join us www.wearefamilyadoption.org.ukWe prioritise the privacy of guests and their children. All identifying information has been changed or removed. We provide guidelines to all of our guests about how and whether information about their adoption journey and the stories of their children should be shared.

Eddie talks to Angela about her experience of adopting an older child, and going through the process and parenting as a single adopter. Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team:Tweet us @WAFadoption #AdoptionShared*Tweet Eddie @Eddielliott*Email us hello@wearefamilyadoption.org.uk*Join us www.wearefamilyadoption.org.ukWe prioritise the privacy of guests and their children. All identifying information has been changed or removed. We provide guidelines to all of our guests about how and whether information about their adoption journey and the stories of their children should be shared.

Eddie talks to Charlie, who is an adoptee and an adoptive parent, in an engaging and open discussion about supporting her daughter with the experience of being adopted and working to build a connection that endures even in times of separation.Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team:Tweet us @WAFadoption #AdoptionShared*Tweet Eddie @Eddielliott*Email us hello@wearefamilyadoption.org.uk*Join us www.wearefamilyadoption.org.ukWe prioritise the privacy of guests and their children. All identifying information has been changed or removed. We provide guidelines to all of our guests about how and whether information about their adoption journey and the stories of their children should be shared.

We asked adopters the same five questions, and their answers reveal the complexity and variety of adoption journeys.  Join us to hear the answer to 'What would you do differently..?' and more.Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team:Tweet us @WAFadoption #AdoptionShared*Tweet Eddie @Eddielliott*Email us hello@wearefamilyadoption.org.uk*Join us www.wearefamilyadoption.org.ukWe prioritise the privacy of guests and their children. All identifying information has been changed or removed. We provide guidelines to all of our guests about how and whether information about their adoption journey and the stories of their children should be shared.

Eddie talks to Megan Tanner of Think NVR,  Non-violent Resistance (NVR) practitioner and consultant about strategies for managing the ‘Big Feelings’ that can come up for adopted children around Christmas time- and at any time.Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team:Tweet us @WAFadoption #AdoptionShared*Tweet Eddie @Eddielliott*Email us hello@wearefamilyadoption.org.uk*Join us www.wearefamilyadoption.org.ukWe prioritise the privacy of guests and their children. All identifying information has been changed or removed. We provide guidelines to all of our guests about how and whether information about their adoption journey and the stories of their children should be shared.

Eddie talks to Stephen and Mark about making and supporting contact with their children's birth families, exploring the challenges and very real positives of making contact work.Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team:Tweet us @WAFadoption #AdoptionShared*Tweet Eddie @Eddielliott*Email us hello@wearefamilyadoption.org.uk*Join us www.wearefamilyadoption.org.ukWe prioritise the privacy of guests and their children. All identifying information has been changed or removed. We provide guidelines to all of our guests about how and whether information about their adoption journey and the stories of their children should be shared.

Eddie talks to Jody, adoptive dad and deputy headteacher of a primary school about what important questions to ask and information to look out for when choosing a primary school for your adopted child.Contact We Are Family & the Adoption Shared Team:Tweet us @WAFadoption #AdoptionShared*Tweet Eddie @Eddielliott*Email us hello@wearefamilyadoption.org.uk*Join us www.wearefamilyadoption.org.ukWe prioritise the privacy of guests and their children. All identifying information has been changed or removed. We provide guidelines to all of our guests about how and whether information about their adoption journey and the stories of their children should be shared.