Results
I grew up in care.
I know what it feels like when the people around you don’t really see you. I know what it feels like when the boxes get ticked, but nobody asks how you are.
That is why I do this work.
Against The Odds is the name of the movement. SEEN is the training I deliver for foster carers. STAY is the training I deliver for residential staff. I also speak at conferences, and I work with young people and staff in schools.
Here is what people have said after being in the room. These are their words, not mine.
So far
SEEN
SEEN is for foster carers. It is about seeing the whole child, including race, culture and belonging. And it is about understanding that behaviour is a form of communication.
Team Fostering, Sheffield — 11 November 2026
At the end of the day, every score had gone up. Most people finished on 8, 9 or 10.
People scored themselves, honestly, on four things:
- I understand how identity shapes belonging
- I feel confident talking about race and culture
- I understand what sits behind behaviour
- I know practical ways to help a child feel proud
One person started at 5, 2, 2 and 3. They finished at 8, 9, 8 and 7.
Another started at 6, 8, 7 and 6. They finished at 9, 9, 9 and 9.
A third started at 6, 6, 6 and 6, and finished at 9, 9, 9 and 9. A fourth started at 7, 9, 5 and 6, and finished at 8, 9, 9 and 10.
“taking more time to understand a person for example their behaviour/past trauma/ethnicity and not just ticking boxes”
“Ask how they are feeling, rather than going straight in with questions”
“asking the questions - more”
HOME Fostering
I have also been working with HOME Fostering on training for foster carers, looking at the impact of trauma on children and young people, and on their behaviour.
“We've been working with Joel for a few months on a co-produced and co-delivered training offer for foster carers on the impact of trauma on children and young people and on their behaviour. Joel has impressed from the start. His passion, knowledge and lived experience are a powerful combination.
He's been keen to understand our needs and to ensure that carers will get the most from the sessions. Joel has been responsive, professional and supportive of our aims. I have no hesitation in recommending in and hope that he will be a part of our agency offer for a long time as I know his style of delivery, approachability and genuine commitment to children will be a huge positive.”
STAY
STAY is for residential staff. It is about seeing the need behind behaviour, and being the adult who stays.
Surepath Homes
“This is, without a doubt, the most powerful and impactful training I have ever received, and I know it will stay with me forever.”
“I now know my waterproof mascara is absolutely no match for the tears I've shed today.”
“If you want training that goes beyond policies, procedures and ticking boxes, and reaches the hearts and minds of the people in the room, please speak to Joel.”
“By the end, there genuinely wasn't a dry eye in the room. ❤️”
The Nurturing Edge
“Highly recommend Joel Tennant STAY training for residential staff - absolutely fantastic. I always love working with Joel - everytime we catch up, I go away reflecting on what more I can do to keep trying to be the best support for young people.”
Educato
“it was one of the rawest, real and thought-provoking training sessions we've ever sat through.”
“Thank you, Joel, for delivering a session that will stay with us long after the training has finished💙”
“The biggest takeaway for the team was recognising that behaviour is a form of communication and there's often much more going on beneath the surface than we initially see. It's changed the way we approach conversations with candidates.”
After work with residential homes over the summer, those services were extended.
Keynotes and conferences
I tell my story in rooms of every size. Sometimes that is a college staff conference. Sometimes it is a smaller professional event. The aim is always the same: that people leave seeing young people a little differently.
“What an amazing job! Joel spoke to an audience of over 1,000 staff at The Bedford College Group and he completely captivated the room. Joel tells his story with such passion, grace, and humility, coming from a very difficult background to deliver a message that is incredibly powerful and uplifting. Joel truly touched the hearts of so many of our staff. If you are looking for an inspirational speaker who speaks from real lived experience and genuinely connects with an audience, I cannot recommend Joel's services highly enough. Joel is a real life superhero.”
“I invited Joel to speak at our GM Victims Conference and wow, he is an incredibly gifted speaker with a powerful and moving story to share. The whole room was deeply touched and inspired, not only by his personal journey but also by the incredible work he is doing in this space. I had many attendees come up to me afterwards to say how impactful his talk was. Everyone took something away, particularly in how we can better reach and engage young people, which is a huge challenge we're all facing at the moment. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Joel as a speaker for your event, for work relating to young people, or for staff training. Having someone with lived experience really does make all the difference. It helps bridge the gap in a way that nothing else can. Joel's insights from his conversations with young people are truly invaluable. Thank you again, Joel. We look forward to working with you again!”
“Joel is very professional and engaging. We quickly formulated a plan following the brief I gave him and he agreed to do a keynote speech at my regional residential event. This was a huge success.
Joel's story is truly inspirational. Hearing his life experiences and how adult interactions felt for him growing up, is exactly what professionals need to hear. Extremely powerful, authentic and an absolute must for anyone working with vulnerable children.
I would highly recommend Joel, especially in Social care, Residential and School settings. Joel highlights the current challenges around gang culture, exploitation and criminality. Some of the most high risks and challenging situations we are all dealing with.
10/10 experience - Thanks Joel.”
Boys’ Impact Conference, Bournemouth University
“Joel Tennant gave a raw talk on his lived experience and how he was able to turn his life around. His company works to give young men transformational opportunities and he spoke of the power of resilience, that of the young men but also the 'superheroes' who work with them”
Schools and mentoring
This work is not only with staff. I also go into schools, to work with young people and the adults around them.
“Joel initially worked with our secondary learners by delivering a powerful series of workshops focused on his own life experiences and the importance of resilience. His honesty, authenticity and ability to connect with young people immediately resonated with our students. In a specialist SEMH setting, where many learners have experienced significant challenges and trauma, Joel's message of perseverance and self-belief was both inspiring and impactful.
Alongside his work with students, Joel also provided valuable staff training focused on recognising trauma and using relational approaches to support young people who have experienced traumatic events. His sessions were insightful, practical and grounded in real-life understanding, giving our staff greater confidence in supporting vulnerable learners.
Due to the positive impact of his work, we now work with Joel on a weekly basis. He provides small group and one-to-one sessions for learners across KS2-KS4. Our students thoroughly enjoy their time with him; they trust him, open up to him and engage enthusiastically in his team-building and reflective activities. Many of our learners actively look forward to their sessions with Joel each week.
Joel has become a valued part of our school community. His commitment, empathy and ability to build meaningful relationships with young people make a genuine difference to the lives of the learners we serve.
I recommend Joel without hesitation to any school or organisation looking to support young people through resilience-building, trauma-informed practice and positive relational work.”
At Oak Haven, weekly sessions have now run for six months. That work has included a go-kart project, with a £500 donation and more than £2,000 of support from Educato.
“Staff felt that Joel was able to build genuine connections with the young people. He listened to their experiences and responded thoughtfully, drawing on his own lived experience to help create trust and understanding.”
Staff training and partners
Some of the feedback below does not name SEEN or STAY. It is still about what happens when staff are in the room.
“Attended Joel’s staff training session today and I have to say it was brilliant. From start to finish it was engaging, insightful, and genuinely impactful. Joel’s ability to connect real lived experience with practical strategies made it incredibly relevant for our setting.
We’ve come away with a much deeper understanding of the young people we support, particularly those facing adversity and behavioural challenges. The session wasn’t just theory — it gave us clear, actionable approaches that we can implement straight away in our day-to-day work.
It’s rare to attend training that truly sticks, but this is something our whole team will be reflecting on and using moving forward. I’d highly recommend this to any school or organisation looking to better support their young people.”
“I've had the pleasure of attending a session with Joel and his journey is nothing short of remarkable.
Having navigated the complexities of the care system, Joel has transformed his past challenges and carved a successful future. He speaks with passion and resilience. He doesn't just tell his story; he uses it to build bridges of understanding and provide hope for others in similar situations. Anyone looking for a speaker or advocate who truly 'gets it' should look no further than Joel.”
“While I have not known Joel for a long time, I have had the opportunity to connect with him and learn more about his life story. What inspires me most about Joel is his willingness to be vulnerable and to take what life has presented to him and turn those experiences into something positive for others.
It is rare to find someone who is so committed to using their story for the betterment of young people, their families, and the communities where they live. Joel is one of those individuals. He speaks openly about what he has learned in life, and that authenticity allows him to connect with people in a powerful and meaningful way.
Joel also provided a training for the Youth Intervention Programs Association (YIPA) where he shared his life story and spoke about the importance of connection in youth work. He reflected on how, as a young person, he longed for someone who would truly see him, connect with him, and help guide him. That message speaks directly to the heart of youth work, where one meaningful relationship can change the direction of a young person's life.
That belief clearly drives everything Joel does. I have no doubt he will continue to make a meaningful impact in the field of youth work and positively influence many young people along the way. Anyone who has the opportunity to work with Joel will quickly recognize his sincerity and his deep commitment to helping others.”
“Working alongside Joel has been an incredibly positive and inspiring. As a lived experience, trauma-informed speaker, he brings a level of authenticity, honesty, and impact that truly resonates with young people and professionals alike. His ability to connect, engage, and create safe spaces for meaningful conversations is something we deeply value.
Educato are extremely proud to partner with Joel as our Brand Ambassador. Supporting and representing the powerful work he delivers in schools and other settings is a privilege, and we are passionate about helping expand his reach into new environments where his voice can make a difference.
The feedback we have received has been nothing short of amazing, with many highlighting the lasting impact of his sessions. We look forward to continuing this journey together and championing the important work he does.”
“What we love about Joel's approach is that it's real, honest and relatable. He isn't delivering training from a book; he brings his own lived experience into the room and uses it to create conversations that can genuinely change how professionals understand and support young people.”
Get in touch
If this is a conversation your team needs too, my inbox is always open.