For foster carers and adopters, one of the biggest challenges they may face can be accessing the right support on education issues, at the right time.

Diagrama is committed to providing comprehensive support for all of its adopters and foster carers and, in order to recognise the crucial importance education plays, our fostering and adoption agency is now able to offer specialist guidance on education matters.

Diagrama’s new education advisor Elaine Mattera will be providing families with advice on educational issues, as well as help in accessing the most appropriate educational support for the children in their care.

Elaine is an experienced adopter, having adopted a sibling group of three with her husband in 2006.  She is passionate about children and education and has worked within the education sector for the past 30 years, predominantly in primary schools as both a class teacher and headteacher. 

In addition, Elaine has extensive experience of mentoring, coaching and leading training courses. Currently, she enjoys a role as a Link Tutor, supporting Primary PGCE trainees on their teaching placements within schools.

Diagrama Foundation Chief Executive David McGuire said: “We are delighted to announce Elaine’s appointment as education advisor. We know her expert knowledge and first-hand experience as an adopter will prove invaluable to our adopters and foster carers and provide a vital service.”

Elaine will be involved in running education workshops, attending support groups, as well as being available to Diagrama foster carers and adopters for advice and support on any educational issues they might be struggling with.

Diagrama foster carers and/or adopters can access support with their child/young person’s education, by emailing educationadvice@diagrama.org.

Elaine will also participate in regular online question and answer sessions which will be open to adopters and foster carers from outside of the agency as well. Follow Diagrama’s new fostering and adoption blog for dates.