Autism Education Trust Youth Panel Member, and Edvocation Services Public Speaker and Advisor: Jacob Willis at his first AET board meeting.
I have an amazing opportunity ahead of me. A chance to be heard and a chance to influence change. I feel privileged to be working with an amazing group of people who are just like me. We come from all over the country, but our stories and experiences are pretty much the same. I have a lot to learn and a lot to give. Being with young people – some of whom find it more difficult to speak in front of others than I do – has made me really realise the difference it makes when you give someone time to articulate their thoughts – take the pressure off and wait that little bit longer and they are incredible. Importantly being given that time to speak makes you feel valued’.
Jacob Willis in the board meeting room, Evelyn Yard, London, at the start of his first AET Youth Panel Meeting.
Reflecting on his experiences as a Public Speaker, Jacob explains:
‘I’m beginning to get used to the changes that are happening in my life. My first venture was when I was invited to speak to parents at Whittington Primary School. I received a standing ovation. I was then asked to present at Shropshire’s SEND strategy conference for professionals, parents and young people – an audience of nearly 200 people. From local beginnings I have been asked by Sarah Boradhurst – the director of AET – to speak at the National Autism Show in Manchester. And each time I think to myself – I hope I will do a good job!’
The Autism Education Trust was founded by DfE as an amalgamation of Ambitious About Autism and the National Autistic Society underpinned by academic research by the University of Birmingham. The Autism Education Trust are the named training provider for Autism in the SEND Code of Practice (2015), and the Government continue to fund projects and research undertaken by the Trust.
The Autism Education Trust Youth Panel is comprised of 10 young people from 16-25. All have a diagnosis of autism and some have additional learning needs. These young people have travelled through mainstream, specialist and alternative educational provision. Together they review and input into Government Policy and Strategy on Education policy to give a voice to Autism. These young people have spoken with Ministers at the House of Commons and been invited to the House of Lords. In May this year Jacob was asked to join the Youth Panel after being successful in his application.
Shropshire Council have provided the opportunity for all staff across our schools in Shropshire to receive Autism Education Trusts Tier One training ‘Making sense of Autism’, and offer more specialised training at Tier two – for teachers and TA’s working with a young person with autism, and Tier three for school managers to develop school ethos and culture with regard to the legislation on Equality (2010) and the Children’s and Families Act (2014).
I have an amazing opportunity ahead of me. A chance to be heard and a chance to influence change. I feel privileged to be working with an amazing group of people who are just like me. We come from all over the country, but our stories and experiences are pretty much the same. I have a lot to learn and a lot to give. Being with young people – some of whom find it more difficult to speak in front of others than I do – has made me really realise the difference it makes when you give someone time to articulate their thoughts – take the pressure off and wait that little bit longer and they are incredible. Importantly being given that time to speak makes you feel valued’.
Jacob Willis in the board meeting room, Evelyn Yard, London, at the start of his first AET Youth Panel Meeting.
Reflecting on his experiences as a Public Speaker, Jacob explains:
‘I’m beginning to get used to the changes that are happening in my life. My first venture was when I was invited to speak to parents at Whittington Primary School. I received a standing ovation. I was then asked to present at Shropshire’s SEND strategy conference for professionals, parents and young people – an audience of nearly 200 people. From local beginnings I have been asked by Sarah Boradhurst – the director of AET – to speak at the National Autism Show in Manchester. And each time I think to myself – I hope I will do a good job!’
The Autism Education Trust was founded by DfE as an amalgamation of Ambitious About Autism and the National Autistic Society underpinned by academic research by the University of Birmingham. The Autism Education Trust are the named training provider for Autism in the SEND Code of Practice (2015), and the Government continue to fund projects and research undertaken by the Trust.
The Autism Education Trust Youth Panel is comprised of 10 young people from 16-25. All have a diagnosis of autism and some have additional learning needs. These young people have travelled through mainstream, specialist and alternative educational provision. Together they review and input into Government Policy and Strategy on Education policy to give a voice to Autism. These young people have spoken with Ministers at the House of Commons and been invited to the House of Lords. In May this year Jacob was asked to join the Youth Panel after being successful in his application.
Shropshire Council have provided the opportunity for all staff across our schools in Shropshire to receive Autism Education Trusts Tier One training ‘Making sense of Autism’, and offer more specialised training at Tier two – for teachers and TA’s working with a young person with autism, and Tier three for school managers to develop school ethos and culture with regard to the legislation on Equality (2010) and the Children’s and Families Act (2014).
Dive into the latest articles, publications and updates in the world of Edvocation.
Visit librarySince starting out, Edvocation Services Ltd have worked across the key services of education, health and social care to deliver affordable and bespoke work to support families, young people, school staff and local authority professionals.
Submit a referral
