Helping exceptional young people flourish throughout life.
Private, personalised advisory and coaching for families who want exceptional support in preparing the next generation for the opportunities, expectations and responsibilities that lie ahead.
Arrange a confidential conversation
Private Family Advisory is a bespoke, confidential coaching and advisory service provided by Annette Du Bois of CHAMPS Academy Coaching. With over 20 years of specialist experience, Annette works with exceptional children, teenagers and young adults from families across the UK and internationally — helping them develop the confidence, emotional capability, resilience and sound judgement to make the very best use of the opportunities available to them. Every programme is entirely personalised; there are no group sessions, no generic curricula, and no fixed formats. The service is available worldwide via secure online sessions and is designed specifically for families who value discretion, precision and measurable progress. Enquiries are handled through a private, confidential conversation arranged by invitation.
Every parent hopes to give their child the very best start in life.
A wonderful education. Inspiring experiences. Strong values. Meaningful opportunities. The confidence to embrace them all.
Yet over the past two decades, I have learnt something that continues to surprise many parents.
Opportunity alone does not build confidence.
Achievement does not automatically create resilience.
Intelligence does not always translate into sound judgement or self-belief.
Some of the brightest, most capable young people quietly struggle beneath the surface. They may appear successful to those around them, yet privately wrestle with anxiety, perfectionism, self-doubt, social uncertainty or an overwhelming fear of not living up to expectations.
Others become experts at masking how they truly feel — convincing parents, teachers and friends that everything is fine, while carrying far more than anyone realises.
These struggles are rarely a reflection of ability. More often, they are a reflection of the increasing complexity of the world young people are expected to navigate.
Every family has its own values, ambitions and aspirations.
For some, there is the expectation of academic excellence. For others, there may be the responsibility of carrying a family legacy, preparing for future leadership, navigating public visibility or simply growing up in an environment where opportunity is abundant and expectations are naturally high.
Whilst every family's circumstances are different, the emotional challenges experienced by young people are often remarkably similar.
- The pressure to succeed
- The fear of disappointing others
- Comparing themselves to exceptionally capable peers
- Questioning whether they are truly "good enough"
- Feeling overwhelmed by the weight of choices
- Losing confidence after setbacks they struggle to put into perspective
- Trying to meet expectations while quietly losing sight of who they are
These challenges are rarely solved by telling a young person to "be more confident." They require understanding, practical guidance and someone who knows how to help them develop the emotional capability to navigate life's challenges with increasing confidence and independence.
That is where my work begins.
Behaviour is rarely the beginning of the story.
Parents often arrive believing the problem is the behaviour they can see.
- Withdrawal
- Anxiety
- Perfectionism
- Loss of motivation
- Emotional outbursts
- Avoidance
- Difficulty making or keeping friendships
- Low confidence
Yet behaviour is rarely the beginning of the story. It is usually the final chapter of something much deeper.
A young person who appears unmotivated may actually be protecting themselves from failure. Someone who strives relentlessly for perfection may be driven by an overwhelming fear of making mistakes. The child who says very little in social situations may be analysing every possible outcome before they speak.
When we understand what lies beneath the behaviour, we stop asking "What's wrong with them?" and instead begin asking "What are they experiencing that has led them here?"
That shift changes everything.
My work has never been about creating short-term confidence.
Confidence is important, but it is rarely the destination. Instead, I help young people develop the qualities that allow confidence to grow naturally and endure over time.
- The ability to think clearly under pressure
- To recover from setbacks without losing their sense of self
- To communicate with confidence and authenticity
- To make thoughtful decisions
- To build healthy relationships
- To become comfortable with uncertainty rather than overwhelmed by it
- To trust themselves — and to understand themselves
- To take responsibility while remaining kind to themselves when things do not go to plan
These are not simply qualities that help during childhood or adolescence. They are qualities that shape adulthood.
No two young people experience the world in exactly the same way.
Which is why no two programmes should ever be identical.
Every family I work with receives an entirely personalised programme built around the individual — their personality, strengths, challenges, ambitions and family circumstances.
There are no generic worksheets. No rigid curriculum. No one-size-fits-all formula.
Instead, every session is designed to meet the young person exactly where they are, while steadily helping them move towards where they are capable of being.
Parents remain an important part of that journey — receiving practical guidance that enables positive change to continue long after each session has finished.
Annette Du Bois
Over more than twenty years, Annette has supported thousands of children, teenagers and young adults from the UK and around the world — helping them develop the confidence, resilience, emotional capability and personal judgement to flourish throughout life.
Her work has been recognised through national media, professional referrals and the trust placed in her by families who value discretion, professionalism and a highly personalised approach.
For many families, the greatest reassurance comes not from credentials, but from the confidence of knowing their son or daughter feels understood — often for the first time.
Parents naturally invest in giving their children opportunities.
The best schools. Exceptional experiences. Travel. Music. Sport. Mentors. Education.
These investments create possibility.
My role is to help ensure your son or daughter has the emotional capability, confidence, judgement and resilience to make the very best use of those opportunities.
The greatest investment any family can make is not simply in what a young person has access to. It is in who they become.
The families I work with value privacy. So do I.
Every conversation is treated with complete professionalism, sensitivity and respect. Whether I am supporting a child navigating social confidence, a young adult preparing for university or the workplace, or a family seeking guidance through a particularly challenging period, my commitment is always the same.
To provide a calm, confidential and trusted environment where meaningful progress can take place.
Arrange a confidential conversation.
Choosing someone to guide and support your child is an important decision. Complete the form below and I will be in touch personally to arrange a private conversation — at a time that suits your schedule. Everything shared remains entirely confidential.
Thank you.
Your enquiry has been received. Annette will be in touch personally within 48 hours to arrange a private conversation.