A pioneering charity has launched a major recruitment drive to support its expansion across the North-East. PETER BARRON highlights the opportunities on offer

THE world was a very different place 40 years ago when a group of devoted parents launched a campaign to provide greater support for autistic children and their families in the North-East.

At the time, there were no specialist schools for autistic children anywhere in the country, and ignorance of autism was rife. Thankfully, it’s a very different story today.

The parents’ campaign led to the formation of what is now the North East Autism Society (NEAS), which has grown over four decades into a charity employing nearly 1,000 people, and making a huge difference to the lives of autistic children and adults.

And NEAS, which runs several schools across the region – as well as educational and vocational programmes for adults – has embarked on a major expansion for 2021 due to a significant increase in demand for its award-winning services.

Plans are in place to create around 250 jobs over the next 18 months, with a particular need for care support workers and teaching assistants.

The charity’s expansion includes an extension of the school at the North East Centre For Autism, at Aycliffe.

Two new schools are also being established in the Tees Valley, starting with the opening of The Mackenzie Thorpe Centre, at South Bank, in October last year, to provide autism-specific education for children and young people aged five to 19.

The centre, named after world-famous artist Mackenzie Thorpe who is the charity’s patron, was opened in partnership with Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council. The first cohort of eight children was increased to 15 by Christmas, and will rise again to 30 by the end of the academic year.

In addition, staff based at the centre will support mainstream schools working with autistic and neurodiverse children. NEAS also plans to open a new school in the Stockton area, with advanced talks taking place with the borough council. A range of family support services will be also introduced across the Tees Valley.

Meanwhile, facilities are also being extended at Thornhill Park School, in Sunderland. Since the school moved to a state-of-the-art new site in March, the number of pupils has increased from 45 to 80, and further growth is expected.

An increase in supported living across the region has also led to a need for more residential care workers, and another area of growth will be Blyth Valley.

NEAS chief executive, John Phillipson, said: “This all adds up to a major expansion of the Society’s services right across the region, and we will need to recruit a significant number of quality staff to deliver the high standards of care we are known for.”

The focus on induction and staff training has intensified ahead of the recruitment drive, so Mr Phillipson said no one should be put off by a lack of previous experience in working with autistic and neurodiverse children and adults.

“These are challenging times economically, with lots of people finding themselves unemployed, but there will be a significant number of opportunities for those considering a change of career,” said Mr Phillipson. “It doesn’t matter if they haven’t previously worked in the care sector, and these roles will come with lots of potential for progression.

“Our existing staff have done an outstanding job in maintaining vital services, and keeping our schools open, throughout the pandemic, and we look forward to expanding our team so we can build on the support we are able to provide for autistic people and their families.”

Recent recruits to NEAS have backed the recruitment campaign by singing the charity’s praises as an employer.

Paul Halford is a shining example of someone who joined the charity after deciding to make a career change. Paul, from Newcastle, had grown tired of his job as a butcher in a supermarket, so he successfully applied for a change of direction with NEAS. He trained to become a support worker at Cedar House, a residential home run by charity at Aycliffe, and now feels completely fulfilled.

Paul said: “It’s just an amazing place and I can honestly say I haven’t looked back. The support I’ve had has been first-class, and the rewards come with seeing the positive results of what you do.

“The way the organisation is run is brilliant – I’ve never known a management team like it, and the rest of the team are fantastic people to work with. They really care about what they do and want to make a difference.”

Paul, 38, has undergone intensive training in strategies to minimise the residents’ anxiety, and is now in a position where he can train new starters. Ultimately, he’d like to progress into a management role, but is happy for now because he feels he’s learning so much every day.

“My advice to anyone who’s out of work, or doesn’t feel fulfilled in their job, to think about what I’ve done,” he says. “I did a job for 20 years that I didn’t want to do – my only regret is that it took me so long to find something a really love.”

Lindsay Worgan, from Sunderland, spent seven years travelling all over the world while working in merchandising with Disney On Ice. However, she has swapped that role to become a Support Worker for NEAS.

Lindsay, who works part-time shifts at the impressive New Warlands Farm training centre, in County Durham, said: “I really wanted to do something rewarding. I’ve never worked anywhere else where the team is so strong. There’s always someone to help me if I need it – everyone is so supportive.”

Lindsay is studying for a Care Certificate with NEAS and, due to her flexible hours, she has also embarked on an Access to Nursing course at college.

Emma Aberdeen is another new recruit who has thrived with NEAS after taking a new direction in life. Having previously been a team leader with a national pub chain, she is now fulfilling a long-held ambition to work as a Teaching Assistant after joining NEAS.

“It was a massive career change, but it just sounded like the job I wanted to do. I decided to go for it, and it was the best decision I’ve ever made,” she said.

The North East Autism is eager to hear from people like Paul, Lindsay and Emma who are looking for a rewarding career and the chance to make a difference.

The last word goes to parents Dave and Kelly Richardson, of Teesside, whose eight-year-old son, Daniel, is one of the first youngsters to benefit from attending the Mackenzie Thorpe Centre.

Daniel, who is diagnosed as autistic, had spent much of his time in isolation at primary school because of his behaviour.

But the move to The Mackenzie Thorpe Centre has made a massive difference to Daniel and his family.

“He loves his teachers, and I can’t recommend the North East Autism Society enough,” says Kelly. “All you ever want in life is for your child to be happy, and NEAS has done that for me.”

  • To find out more about vacancies at NEAS, go to www.ne-as.org.uk/