Applications sought for Vice-Chairperson and Directors to the Board of Middletown Centre for Autism
Date published:
The Department of Education has launched a public appointments competition to appoint two Directors and a Vice-Chairperson to the Middletown Centre for Autism (MCA).
MCA is a joint North/South initiative with funding provided by the Department of Education in Northern Ireland and the Department of Education and Youth in the Republic of Ireland. Its statutory purpose is to promote excellence in the education of autistic children and young people across both jurisdictions.
Launching the competition, Education Minister Paul Givan said:
"Middletown Centre for Autism delivers intensive assessment and learning support to children on an outreach basis, in both the home and school setting. It also offers a broad range of training courses for educational professionals and parents.
"These roles offer a unique opportunity for individuals to provide strategic leadership, effective oversight and constructive challenge, ensuring the Centre continues to deliver high-quality services and positive outcomes for the autistic children, young people, families and professionals it supports.
"The successful appointees should be experienced in scrutinising an organisation's performance and managing key strategic issues, and able to evaluate and prioritise information to make decisions that influence strategic direction and positive outcomes."
Details on the selection criteria, the role responsibilities and time commitment are set out in the Information Booklet which is part of the application pack. Further information is available on the DE website at: https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/articles/public-appointment-opportunities
The closing date for receipt of applications is 4.00pm BST on Thursday 19 November 2026.
Notes to editors:
1. The competition will reflect the principles and practices of the Commissioner for Public Appointments (CPANI) Code of Practice. The appointment will be made on merit, and political activity plays no part in the selection process.
2. Application packs can be made in a different format e.g. large print. CVs and late applications will not be accepted.
3. Application packs can be obtained from the Department in the following ways:
- Website - www.education-ni.gov.uk
- Email - egt1@education-ni.gov.uk
- Telephone - (028) 9127 9226 or 07783 828 893
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