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Childhood Trauma, Care and Separation, School Exclusion, Addiction, Child Criminal Exploitation and Incarceration at 17, Andi Brierley shares belief that no matter how dark it gets, there is always light.
Andi Brierley is the Head of Access, Participation and Outcomes at Leeds Trinity University and a Senior University Teacher delivering the Unlocked MSc in Applied Custodial Leadership to Prison Officer Graduates. He holds Full Fellowship with the Higher Education Academy and brings academic credibility alongside powerful real-world experience.
With more than fifteen years in Youth Justice, Andi has worked at the frontline of the criminal justice system, including five years as the Child Looked After Specialist in Leeds. In this role, he helped safely reduce the number of children in care being drawn into the justice system, championing diversion, prevention and long-term change.
Andi is the author of three books on crime and justice and brings rare lived experience to his work. Born to a teenage care leaver, his early life included time in care, school exclusion, heroin addiction, child criminal exploitation and four prison sentences. His journey from incarceration to leadership has shaped his belief that no matter how dark life becomes, there is always a way forward.
Today, Andi speaks with honesty, authority and compassion about power, legitimacy and lived experience within systems. His talks challenge audiences to rethink justice, leadership and responsibility, leaving them informed, moved and inspired to create meaningful change.
Andi explores how education can become a turning point for those facing exclusion, trauma and disadvantage. Drawing on his work in youth justice and higher education, he challenges educators and leaders to rethink inclusion, belonging and opportunity, showing how the right relationships can transform outcomes.
With honesty and compassion, Andi speaks about mental health in the context of care experience, addiction, incarceration and recovery. This keynote sheds light on the realities faced by those most at risk, offering insight into trauma, stigma and what truly supports long-term wellbeing.
A powerful and hopeful keynote centred on resilience, responsibility and growth. Andi shares how lived experience, when understood and supported, can become a source of strength rather than limitation. This talk resonates with anyone navigating challenge, change or personal setback.
Drawing on his journey from instability to leadership, Andi explores how individuals and organisations can navigate uncertainty with clarity, courage and adaptability. A powerful keynote on responding to change when the path forward is unclear.
Heart breaking, funny, thought provoking and at times dark; through telling his story, Andi gives a compelling account of his life moving from care into criminality, prison and ultimately turning his life around and becoming a Youth Justice Specialist. A truly inspirational story delivered with warmth, humour and thought. Andi spoke for over an hour and I was hooked.
Andi Brierley delivered a hugely engaging talk at the recent Association of Directors of Children’s Services annual conference to an audience of local authority leaders in children’s services. Delivered from his perspective, it was an excellent insight into the direct experiences of young people who have been in care or entered the youth justice system. His story was both eye opening and inspiring which was reflected in feedback and questions from delegates. Andi now does amazing work to support children and young people facing similar challenges.
