MAIN was established in 2002 to provide advice and support to families, carers, and those affected by neurodiverse conditions, (neurodiversity describes the idea that people experience and interact with the world around them in many different ways; the range of differences in individual brain function and behavioural traits, regarded as part of normal variation in the human population used especially in the context of Autistic Spectrum Disorders, as well as other neurological or developmental conditions such as ADHD or learning disabilities. MAIN recognised that autistic young people and their families deserved dedicated support that was readily accessible whether families chose a mainstream educational pathway or a specialist provision. MAIN, where able to secure some funding to provide a service aimed at understanding diagnosis, identify services and access financial support as and when required, the MAIN Project evolved and adapted to become one of the leading Autistic Charities in the Northeast of England.
MAIN continued to provide high quality support and services, between 2011-2015 MAIN continued to grow services specific to the needs of our young people and families — County Durham, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland and Stockton-on-Tees.
Each individual person or family that MAIN works with is treated as an individual, with respect and dignity at all times. No two people are the same, so our team makes sure that the support we offer is personalised and tailored to the needs of the individual, with the goal of empowering, buiding confidences and enjoying life to the full.
Our ambition is to change societies perception of Autism, and to increase its understanding of the challenges and opportunities those living with Autism experience and how these differences can enrich lives and provide a different view point.
All employees are expected to be flexible in contributing to the efforts of our small team to archieve the charity's aims. We are expected to respect all confidentialities and principles and practice of the General Data Protection Act.
Ability to engage with both children and adults and tailor approach to meet their individual needs. Good time management and planning of own workload.
The organisation has grown considerably and now offers not only advice, but short break services to children and young people with Autism but also with a wide range of other complex needs, we offer specialist training both to professionals and parents/carers and adults themselves with additional needs, specialist information advice and guidance, signpsoting, 1-1 community support for adults and children's (known as PA support), an all-age alternative education provision along with our post diagnostic support to autistic adults in County Durham.