divergence is a joined-up system that brings together community-based support and clinical services.   The focus is not only on diagnosis, but on helping people understand their experiences, navigate available options, and access the support that is right for them.   There is no single pathway. Some people access community support only, some pursue clinical assessment, and others use a combination depending on their needs.   This means that people can engage with different parts of the system in different ways, depending on what is most helpful to them. Our clinical services (diagnosis and medication) are provided by North East ADHD Limited. Our other services are provided by The divergence Works CIC. divergence is the trading name.

Yes—divergence operates through two connected parts.   divergence Works CIC is a not-for-profit community organisation focused on support, education, awareness and system navigation.   North East ADHD Ltd provides regulated clinical assessment and treatment through a non-profit operating model. This means income is reinvested into service quality, accessibility, sustainability and ongoing development rather than being used to maximise profit. There are no financial investors and North East ADHD Limited are a family run company.   This structure allows different types of support to be delivered in a way that reflects their purpose, while remaining aligned under a shared ethos.

Our work is guided by values including being respectful, safe, candid, informative, innovative, determined, inquisitive and focused on continuous improvement.   These values shape how we communicate, how we design services, and how we support people.   They also influence how decisions are made and how services continue to evolve over time. More detail is available on our website.

Our approach focuses on understanding first, rather than assuming a single pathway. We support people in exploring their options, which may include assessment, ongoing support, or alternative approaches depending on their situation.   Many members of our team are neurodivergent themselves. This means our work is grounded in both lived experience and clinical expertise, which influences how services are designed, how communication is delivered, and how people are supported.   This combination helps ensure that services are both clinically robust and practically relevant to real-world experiences.

Our services are shaped by lived experience, clinical expertise, community feedback and ongoing evaluation.   We listen to what people say they need, review what is working, and adapt our support so it remains practical, accessible and relevant.   This means that services are not static and may continue to evolve over time in response to real-world needs.

Our services are shaped by lived experience, clinical expertise, community feedback and ongoing evaluation.   We listen to what people say they need, review what is working, and adapt our support so it remains practical, accessible and relevant.   This means that services are not static and may continue to evolve over time in response to real-world needs. We earn from situations where things go wrong and we are continuously working to improve our services based upon the feedback of the people who use them.

ADHD assessments follow recognised UK clinical guidance (including NICE guidelines) and are carried out by appropriately trained and experienced clinicians.   Autism assessments use structured tools alongside detailed clinical discussion to ensure accuracy and also recognised UK clinical guidance (including NICE guidelines).   All outcomes are based on a full understanding of your history, current presentation and any alternative explanations.   This helps ensure that assessments are thorough, balanced and appropriate to your individual situation, while meeting recognised clinical and regulatory standards.   Services are delivered within a regulated clinical framework with appropriate governance and oversight, with regular supervision of staff from someone appropriately qualified to do this. This does include regularly drawing on the expertise of more than one psychiatrist, a psychologist and team discussion.