Steven Russell

Steven Russell has spent over two decades championing the most vulnerable children and young people as the visionary leader of Elements SEMH Support CIC and Elements Education and Training. As an influential keynote speaker, Steven draws on themes such as The Power of Connection, The Power of One, and Overcoming Adversity, providing audiences with actionable strategies so they can break down barriers for children and young people in care and form stronger connections with them.

Having grown up within the care system, Steven’s story is one of resilience, empathy, and relentless determination to create meaningful change. He started out working as a forklift truck driver for a logistics company, but he was seeking a greater purpose. In 2007, he saw an advertisement for a Residential Support Worker for Archways Care, and he decided to make the phone call. Steven soon found himself supporting children with emotional and behavioural difficulties. Having experienced rejection, uncertainty, and trauma throughout his childhood, Steven can put himself in a place of understanding and empathy to provide young people with the support they need.

Steven spent nine years working at Archways Care, during which time he transitioned into Senior Support Worker and Deputy Manager roles, before becoming a Family Support Specialist for Malachi Specialist Family Support Services in 2016. By 2020, he had founded Elements SEMH Support, holding the position of CEO (Care Experienced Optimist), to provide social and emotional mental health support for children and young people. This comes alongside his founding of Elements Education and Training, which spearheads pioneering initiatives that are tailored to professionals who support young people, including teachers, social workers, and residential care teams. Furthermore, Steven’s book, 'Drip by Drip, Day by Day', was published in 2025, offering a poignant exploration of his own experiences and important lessons for reshaping the future of care.

Celebrated for his innovative approaches and profound impact on those he comes into contact with, Steven has received well-deserved awards recognition, including being the winner of the Global Inclusion SEMH Award 2025. Delivering keynotes at high-profile events such as the Ofsted National Social Care Conference and the Severn Trent Water event for young people, Steven brings a unique blend of his lived experiences and professional expertise to provide an experience that will truly inspire, challenge, and empower. His signature keynote and programme model, The Ripple Effect, transforms how professionals work with children and young people, building on the five key ripples of anchor, growth, trust, momentum and legacy, and underpinned by the five elements of connection, including patience, presence, creativity, curiosity and authenticity. You don’t want to miss booking Steven Russell for your next event.