
Elliot McKenzie
Youth mentor for a local authority safeguarding service
A diagnosis of ADHD and severe, uncontrolled epilepsy meant that Elliot always struggled to ‘fit’ within his secondary school, especially around their expectations for behaviour. That coupled with his friendships with other, often older young people who had their own ongoing issues with education only served to exacerbate his difficulties.
This all culminated in a managed move in year 9, because of ‘persistent disruption’. Elliot was moved to a new secondary school where his needs remained the same but now was left to cope with the changes in circumstances and initially felt unsupported by education.
That could have been the end of his story, but support from his family and local youth group saw him through this time and encouraged him to make the most of the new opportunities. Whilst far from perfect, the managed move changed his life by allowing him not only to settle but learn and enjoy education in a way that he understood.
His experiences left him with a strong desire to mentor and guide young people. He started his journey by embracing the apprenticeship pathway, where he worked for a virtual school that allowed him to enhance the holistic education of children and young people in care. This culminated in him winning an award for regional apprentice of the year in the West Midlands (2022)
He now works as a youth mentor for a local authority safeguarding service, where he takes an alternative attitude to holistically engaging young people at risk of harm through group and individual interventions The work that takes place is intensive, ‘turnaround work’ led by young people and values their voice and participation.
Working across adolescent safeguarding teams and an exploitation hub, he embraces a multidisciplinary approach to safeguarding and empowering young people. He remains committed to a local youth centre, where he works as a part time community youth worker.
10:30
1 CST Safeguarding Conference
Keynote: Do managed moves really work?
In this session, we will hear a (former) pupil perspective, as Elliot McKenzie shares his experience of a managed move in conversation with Jon Needham.