Paul McGinnety's first 100 days as the new CEO of the North East Autism Society

Days into his fact-finding tour as the new Chief Executive of the North East Autism Society (NEAS), Paul McGinnety accepted an invitation to help out at a disco for supported individuals.

And a look around the room quickly underlined why he’d made the right decision to return to his home region to run NEAS after 13 years working abroad.

“I was struck by the unbridled joy on so many faces,” recalls Paul. “Some were in feather boas, others were playing inflatable guitars or saxophones, and they were having the time of their lives.

“I felt the warmth in the room, and I had no doubt I’d made the right decision to come back to the North East. Those faces underlined what NEAS is all about – what a special organisation it is.”

Paul, who was born in North Shields and grew up in Durham, has completed his first 100 days as CEO, and he’s “hugely excited” by what he’s found.

Paul’s focus so far has been on listening to staff and families to find out how he can build on the foundations laid by his predecessor, John Phillipson, who has retired after 21 years at the helm.

From Northumberland to Teesside, Paul has visited the charity’s schools, colleges, residential homes, supported living facilities, and attended summer events – including the Sunderland disco.

“It’s important for me to listen to those whose lives are embedded in the organisation – staff, families and service-users,” he says. “Some colleagues have dedicated 40 years of their working lives to NEAS. They are the experts and their feedback will help develop an inclusive three-year strategy.”

Having started with local authorities in the North East, Paul embarked on a five-year stint on the remote South Atlantic island of Saint Helena, where his responsibilities included safeguarding and tackling poverty.

In 2018, he and his family moved to Jersey, where he rose to become Director of Local Services, leading on homelessness and disability, as well as overseeing care homes during the pandemic, and co-ordinating charities.

“I was happily settled in Jersey but the chance to become chief executive of NEAS was too good to resist,” says the father-of-two.

And he certainly hasn’t been disappointed by his 100-day experience.

“I’ve been bowled over by the commitment of the staff, and the trust placed in us by so many families,” he says.

“It’s my job to build on what’s already here, and it’s been lovely that so many colleagues and families have come forward with ideas.”

Paul is speaking during a visit to New Warlands Farm, near Burnhope, in County Durham, which NEAS is developing into a £4.9m training and employment hub for autistic and neurodivergent people, as well as a working farm and visitor centre.

Thanks to the dry summer, work is on schedule for the farm to be operational by the end of the year, with an official launch planned for April.

And the ideas given to Paul by staff members include opening the farm buildings at weekends for additional social activities, including creating a cinema.

“The farm was an amazing vision long before I arrived, but we want to take that vision even further,” says Paul.

“One colleague, who has an autistic son, told me that she finds it difficult to find soft-play facilities that fit his sensory profile. She also finds it hard to take her son to the cinema because mainstream provision can be challenging.

“That feedback has inspired us to look at using the main building at the farm as a soft-play venue at weekends, as well as turning it into a cinema because it has a large wall that’s perfect for screening films.

“The farm can also be somewhere families can feel safe and relax with a slice of cake and a coffee, while having fun in the soft-play, or watching a movie.

“I’m delighted to say that our properties around the region are of a really high standard, so it’s a question of how we can maximise their use.”

With residents living longer, the charity also needs to plan for an older population and assess its accommodation needs for the longer term, adds Paul.

Another priority is to invest in technology and streamline processes, to free up time for the charity’s 1,200 staff.

“If we don’t modernise, we’l lose good people, so it’s about making people’s jobs easier and creating more space in their working day to provide the amazing support NEAS is known for,” he explains.

Other new measures will include a salary sacrifice scheme, plus enhanced terms and conditions on maternity, paternity and adoption. The charity is also looking to support staff with Electric Vehicle charging points, plus free meals for those working in schools and colleges.

Other new measures will include a salary sacrifice scheme, plus enhanced terms and conditions on maternity, paternity and adoption. The charity is also looking to support staff with Electric Vehicle charging points, plus free meals for those working in schools and colleges.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of Employment Futures, a department set up by NEAS to support autistic people into work experience, training and employment.

“We want to build on the success of Employment Futures by bringing outsourced services in-house, so we can create more job opportunities,” says Paul, who is in discussions with Greggs and other North East businesses around training partnerships.

In the meantime, NEAS has won a new contract with Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council to provide residential services for autistic children.

The first 100 days have passed quickly, but Paul McGinnety is relishing the challenge that enticed him back home.

“We have to be exemplars in everything we do,” he insists. “And if I don’t consider it to be good enough for my children, then it won’t be good enough for anyone’s else’s children.”