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Ambitious About Autism Annual Report and Financial Statement 2019

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Ambitious About Autism Annual Report and Financial Statement 2019 Ambitious about Autism Annual Report and Accounts 2018–19 3 We are Ambitious about Autism Ambitious about Autism is the national charity for children and young people with autism. We provide services, raise awareness and understanding, and campaign for social and policy change. Through TreeHouse School, The Rise School and Ambitious College, we offer specialist education and support. Our ambition is to make the ordinary possible for more children and young people with autism. Contact us The Pears National Centre for Autism Education Woodside Avenue, London N10 3JA 020 8815 5444 [email protected] ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk Follow us ambitiousautism ambitiousaboutautism ambitiousaboutautism We need an education: making the ordinary possible for children and young people Ambitious about Autism is a registered charity in England and Wales: 1063184 and a registered company: 3375255. with autism Ambitious about Autism Schools Trust is an exempt charity in England and Wales and a registered company: 08335297. Annual report and accounts for the year Published – April 2020 ended 31 August 2019 Ambitious about Autism Annual Report and Accounts 2018–19 2 Contents Welcome to our annual report. 4 An introduction from the Chief Executive and the Chair of Trustees . 4 I know now looking back that the An update from our Youth Council . 6 education system can be cruel Strategic report . 7 It’s not designed for people like me to How we work . 7 “ Our vision, mission and values . 8 access school It’s a continuous battle and a lengthy fight Why we are needed . 9 What we do . 11 To get students like me in a school that is right The story of our year . .16 We need an education . .16 But remember there is value in looking Getting it ‘right from the start’ . 18 Learn, thrive and achieve . 19 at the wrong Developing the Ambitious Approach . 27 Because it can go on to help others Include Autism . 29 to find where they too belong Education is a right for all . .32 Helping the world around us become autism confident . 34 So, believe me when I say we will A fulfilling and rewarding future . 37 not give up this fight That every autistic child deserves Fundraising . 39 an education that’s right. Our Ambitious supporters . .39 From a poem by Bella Cope ” Our plans for the future . 43 Ambitious about Autism Youth Patron Financial review . 45 Our approach to fundraising. .49 Our structures . 51 Our leadership and advisers. .56 Statement of the responsibilities of the Trustees . 59 Independent auditor’s report to the members of Ambitious about Autism . .61 Consolidated statement of financial activities . 65 Get involved . .89 3 Ambitious about Autism Annual Report and Accounts 2018–19 Ambitious about Autism Annual Report and Accounts 2018–19 4 Welcome to our annual report An introduction from the Chief Executive and the Chair of Trustees We began our journey in 1997, when a small We expect the spread of COVID-19 will group of innovative parents set up TreeHouse have a significant impact on the UK and School. At a time when children with autism global economy and this is likely to affect faced little or no chance of receiving a full the funding of support for children and and rewarding education, these parents young people with autism. Our Trustees are were determined to bring about real change already assessing the additional risks and will for their children. continue to monitor and mitigate these. With your support, we are confident that we can This pioneering spirit has remained at the continue to help children and young people heart of our organisation as we have evolved with autism. and progressed. What started with four pupils has grown to become a charity that What we do wouldn’t be possible without has supported thousands of children and you – our wonderful children and young young people with autism. people, parents and carers, and generous partners and supporters. No matter how Despite our many successes, the sad fact you contribute, you are a crucial part is that children and young people with of our mission to make the ordinary Ambitious about Autism is the national charity for autism still face a lack of understanding possible for more children and young children and young people with autism. We exist to of their needs. people with autism. make the ordinary possible for these young people, This annual report demonstrates our work to give children and young people with autism and they are at the heart of all a fighting chance – right from the start, from that we do. their earliest years and into adulthood - and our plans to continue this work in the future. Jolanta Lasota Neil Goulden Left to right: Sir Trevor Pears, Pears Foundation, Lord Tim Clement-Jones CBE, President, Chief Executive Chair of Trustees Jolanta Lasota, Chief Executive 5 Ambitious about Autism Annual Report and Accounts 2018–19 Ambitious about Autism Annual Report and Accounts 2018–19 6 An update from our Youth Council This year our Youth Council has continued to innovate and progress, with new Youth Patrons joining our expanding Ambitious Youth Network. They have stories to share and the ambition to make things better for their peers. We started the year preparing for our event: Gallery, the Science Museum and the the ‘We need an education’ debate in October Wellcome Collection, to ensure that autistic 2018 at the Clothworkers’ Hall in London. young people can enjoy the same leisure During the evening we shared our experiences and extra-curricular education opportunities of education as autistic young people. For as their peers. many of us, it was the first time we’d made a speech to a large audience but this was a In April, during Autism Awareness Week, great opportunity for us to put our views front we launched the Include Autism toolkit for and centre of the debate. developing autism-inclusive youth groups, promoting it on Channel 5 news and in local Through the Autism Education Trust Young papers. Teachers, healthcare professionals, People’s Panel, we’ve used our experiences youth workers and government departments to establish key educational principles. At helped to spread the word. This was all conferences, we’ve shared the message of possible thanks to the generosity of the Comic a more inclusive education system for autistic Relief Sustainability Fund. young people. With Whittington Health NHS Trust, we In March 2019, a group of us met Nadhim launched resources to improve access Zahawi MP, who was then Parliamentary to healthcare. These included youth-led Under Secretary of State for Children and education days for professionals and wider Families, to tell him about the issues affecting consultancy about why autistic people find it We’re passionate about autistic children and young people at school, difficult to use healthcare services. such as widespread school exclusions, championing our right to a bullying and loneliness. He asked us to We’re looking forward to building on this full education and inclusion, contribute directly to the Government’s exciting work in the year ahead. and about tackling social isolation and Autism Strategy. loneliness. We will continue to empower The Ambitious about Autism Youth Council, and support more autistic young people. Young autistic people can also feel isolated 2018 –19 outside of school. So, we’ve worked directly with the Postal Museum, Pitzhanger Manor & 7 Ambitious about Autism Annual Report and Accounts 2018–19 Ambitious about Autism Annual Report and Accounts 2018–19 8 Strategic report Our work is How we work underpinned by This was the second year of our Ambitious Futures 2020 strategy. In 2018–19, our strategic objectives focused on six outcomes, which are taking us closer strong foundations to achieving our vision of a world where the ordinary is the everyday experience of children and young people with autism. and values Our vision is a world where the Our mission is to make Evidence: Increase our Empower: More children ordinary is the everyday experience of the ordinary possible for children and evidence base of what works and young people with autism for children and young people are empowered to influence children and young people with autism. young people with autism. with autism (0–25) in education decisions about their lives as and training. a result of our work. Our values Children and young people with autism are at the centre of all that we do. Inform: More decisions made Knowledge: More families by policy-makers, commissioners have increased knowledge and Investing in our staff and funders are based on our confidence to support children and to make sure our work We value difference: given evidence of what works for children young people with autism to make has the biggest impact how unique every experience and young people with autism. and/or influence decisions. on children and young of autism really is, we work people with autism. hard to develop personalised solutions for the children and young people we work with. Autism confident: Progress: More children More professionals and and young people with education providers are autism (0–25) have access to autism confident. high-quality education provision. We are open: to new ideas, We believe in the in how we work and how we talent of our staff make decisions. and bring this expertise together This report outlines our progress against our strategic objectives and outcomes as an organisation across the two main areas of our work – education and external affairs. to challenge the status quo for We are team players: in how we work children and young within the organisation, with children people with autism. and young people, with parents and carers, and with our partners.
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