Liverpool City Council is celebrating an exciting project involving autistic young people from across the city.
We’ve come together with partners, the Liverpool Parent Carer Forum and Alder Hey, as part of the National ‘Autism in Schools’ Project.
Liverpool City Council is encouraging school pupils with autism to share their views and experiences with their teachers. This new initiative has been designed to improve knowledge and understanding of autism.
This person-centred approach is not only improving inclusion within the city’s schools but is also helping teachers to better understand the challenges faced by students, so that reasonable adjustments can be put in place.
Pupil Voice Project
As part of the project, the Council has been working with an amazing group of autistic young people from several schools across the city to produce a video, which shows their lived experiences of being an autistic young person in a mainstream secondary school. The video will be used as a resource to educate staff and peers across schools and health services across Merseyside.
A celebration bringing together children and young people with autism who have been involved in the project as well as their parents and teachers.
The event will include the launch of the Pupil Voice Video, a presentation from partners and inspirational speeches from:
Kiera Byland, a Special Olympics GB Athlete. Kiera has Autism and Dyspraxia and has represented GB at the Special Olympics in Los Angeles and Abu Dhabi and has won 6 gold medals. Kiera has also received Order of the British Empire Medal (BEM) for her services for sport.
Kieran O’Connor, a neurodiverse young man who is currently studying at a mainstream post-16 college and has previously attended a mainstream secondary school. He is an autism advocate, trained in peer support and aspiring chef.
As part of the wider Autism in Schools Project, North Liverpool Academy is one of the first schools in Liverpool to achieve the National Autistic Society’s Inclusion Award.
Jenny Turnross, Director of Children and Young People’s Services, said: “I am delighted Liverpool City Council has joined with partners to lead on such an important project.
“Listening to the lived experience of pupils and their families is crucial when increasing awareness and understanding of autism.
“Work like this allows professionals to gain invaluable insight to support all students more effectively and promote inclusive classrooms where every child can thrive.”