Supporting people

Creating homes,

Creating homes,

not placements

not placements

A better way to support individuals with autism and intellectual disability

Our Promise

Where individuals are understood, safe and supported to develop skills.

Mission Vision & Values

Our core philosophy

Our core philosophy

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Our Mission

We believe that no individual with autism or intellectual disability should live in a hospital. 

Nurturing home environment meeting individual needs across their lifespan.

Evidence-based assessment
and treatment to improve
quality of life.

Evidence-based assessment
and treatment to improve quality of life.

Safe person-centred home, physical, emotional, behavioural needs met.

Support meaningful lives and social connections through
skill development.

Support meaningful lives and social connections through skill development.

Improve wellbeing of service users, families and carers through specialist support.

Improve health of service
users and workers, reduce
health inequalities.

Improve health of service users and workers, reduce health inequalities.

Our Mission

We believe that no individual with autism or intellectual disability should live in a hospital. 

Nurturing home environment meeting individual needs across their lifespan.

Evidence-based assessment and treatment to improve quality of life.

Safe person-centred home, physical, emotional, behavioural needs met.

Support meaningful lives and social connections through skill development.

Improve wellbeing of service users, families and carers through specialist support.

Improve health of service users and workers, reduce health inequalities.

The Ethan Model

Holistic approach

Holistic approach

Behaviour & Understanding

Understanding the function of behaviour, deploying proactive strategies, and reducing distress.

Behaviour & Understanding

Understanding the function of behaviour, deploying proactive strategies, and reducing distress.

Communication

Supporting the expression of needs, building effective strategies to reduce frustration and build relationships.

Communication

Supporting the expression of needs, building effective strategies to reduce frustration and build relationships.

Skill Development

Fostering practical, social, and daily
living skills to increase independence
and confidence.

Skill Development

Skill Development


Fostering practical, social, and daily living skills to increase independence and confidence.

Health & Wellbeing

Prioritising both physical and mental health through proactive, person-centred care.

Health & Wellbeing

Prioritising both physical and mental health through proactive, person-centred care.

Behaviour & Understanding

Understanding the function of behaviour, deploying proactive strategies, and reducing distress.

Skill Development

Fostering practical, social, and daily living skills to increase independence and confidence.

Communication

Supporting the expression of needs, building effective strategies to reduce frustration and build relationships.

Health & Wellbeing

Prioritising both physical and mental health through proactive, person-centred care.

The

Individual

Therapeutic Environments

Capable Environments

Everyday Support

Model Outcomes

Engage

Enhance

Empower

The

Individual

Therapeutic Environments

Capable Environments

Everyday Support

Model Outcomes

Engage

Enhance

Empower

Our people

Multidisciplinary team

The

Multidisciplinary Team

Behaviour

  • Board Certified Behaviour Analyst


  • Behaviour Support


  • Behaviour Assistants

Clinical

  • Speech & Language Therapy


  • Occupational Therapy


  • Nurses


Support

  • Support Workers


  • Senior Support Workers

Therapeutic

  • Activity Workers


  • Nutrition and
    Skills Chef


  • Wellbeing Gardeners

Behaviour

  • Board Certified Behaviour Analyst


  • Behaviour Support


  • Behaviour Assistants

Clinical

  • Speech & Language Therapy


  • Occupational Therapy


  • Nurses


Support

  • Support Workers


  • Senior Support Workers

Therapeutic

  • Activity Workers


  • Nutrition and
    Skills Chef


  • Wellbeing Gardeners

Leadership

Leigh Ferris

Managing Director

BSc (Hons) Mental
Health Nursing

Registered Mental
Health Nurse

PgDip Forensic Health Care

BTEC Dip Positive
Behaviour Support

As Managing Director, Leigh leads ETHAN’s operational delivery, culture and service development, ensuring that the model is not only clinically informed, but practical, sustainable and focused on reallife outcomes.

Leigh Ferris

Managing Director

BSc (Hons) Mental
Health Nursing

Registered Mental
Health Nurse

PgDip Forensic Health Care

BTEC Dip Positive
Behaviour Support

As Managing Director, Leigh leads ETHAN’s operational delivery, culture and service development, ensuring that the model is not only clinically informed, but practical, sustainable and focused on reallife outcomes.

Sarah Ferris

Clinical Director

BSc (Hons) Psychology

MSc Applied

Behaviour Analysis

Board Certified

Behaviour Analyst (BCBA)

Sarah shapes and leads ETHAN’s clinical vision, ensuring that support is grounded in Positive Behaviour Support principles, multidisciplinary collaboration and a deep understanding of each individual’s needs, strengths and aspirations, with a clear focus on improving quality of life.

Sarah Ferris

Clinical Director

BSc (Hons) Psychology

MSc Applied

Behaviour Analysis

Board Certified

Behaviour Analyst (BCBA)

Sarah shapes and leads ETHAN’s clinical vision, ensuring that support is grounded in Positive Behaviour Support principles, multidisciplinary collaboration and a deep understanding of each individual’s needs, strengths and aspirations, with a clear focus on improving quality of life.

Supporting people

Home

Mission, Vision, Values

The ETHAN model

Our people

Contact Us

leighferris@ethan-ni.com

+44 (0) 7720 765105 

© ETHAN Community 2026