REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: |
REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: |
Report of the Trustees and |
Unaudited Financial Statements |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
for |
Centre for Adults' Social Care Advice, |
Information and Dispute Resolution |
REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: |
REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: |
Report of the Trustees and |
Unaudited Financial Statements |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
for |
Centre for Adults' Social Care Advice, |
Information and Dispute Resolution |
Centre for Adults' Social Care Advice, |
Information and Dispute Resolution |
Contents of the Financial Statements |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
Page |
Report of the Trustees | 1 | to | 4 |
Independent Examiner's Report | 5 |
Statement of Financial Activities | 6 |
Balance Sheet | 7 | to | 8 |
Notes to the Financial Statements | 9 | to | 16 |
Centre for Adults' Social Care Advice, |
Information and Dispute Resolution (Registered number: 10563291) |
Report of the Trustees |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2024. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019). |
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES |
Objectives and aims |
CASCAIDr is a national advice charity, providing specialist legal advice to individuals with health and social care needs, their carers and/or representatives on public law obligations governing public bodies with functions to make rational, fair and lawful decisions regarding care arrangements. |
We want to inspire active consideration of legal duties by practitioners acting under statutory powers so as to promote the wellbeing of people with physical or mental health conditions. |
The Charity's objects are the relief of poverty and the relief of those in need by reason of youth, age, ill-health, disability, lack of mental capacity or financial hardship for the public benefit through the provision of information about human rights, equality and diversity law, social care and health law and provision of legal advice to people seeking health and social care services and/or any persons or charities caring for such people, to assist such people to obtain those services. |
CASCAIDr was set up with the aim of reinvigorating the rule of law within local government and the NHS and to empower people to resolve disputes, ensuring those suffering disability or impairment aren't pointlessly pushed into poverty or despair. We provide advice and information for public benefit through our website and practical legal assistance directly to individuals; reviewing whether support offered is compliant with core legal principles and, where this is not the case, help people to instigate formal reconsideration by public bodies or, if necessary, legal challenge through the Courts. |
The Charity's funding structure is designed to ensure that access to basic legal assistance is not dependent on eligibility for funding from the Legal Aid Agency. |
Public benefit |
The objectives of the charity are for the benefit of the public and the Trustees have therefore complied with the duty |
in Section 4 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the Charity Commission guidance published in this |
respect. |
Centre for Adults' Social Care Advice, |
Information and Dispute Resolution (Registered number: 10563291) |
Report of the Trustees |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE |
CASCAIDr aims to meet the high quality standards we had set for responding to each person seeking assistance, to secure sufficient financial resources and attract services from a broad body of people with relevant expertise able to take on case work, so that we could offer our services at a national level. |
During 2023-2024 the charity supported about 155 individuals. |
Positive feedback has continued to flow in, both for our Triage service and provision of charitable chargeable work. |
We have launched a new low cost remote advocacy service called CASCAIDr Crusaders which has a steady flow of clients looking for support with meetings over Zoom/telephone calls. |
We have entered into partnerships with a number of external bodies to provide advice and services to them, and also to send them referrals for clients outside of our scope. |
Thanks to MoJ funding we were able to expand our Triage Team to spread the client load and reduce the burden on our voluntary CEO, as well as launch some new initiatives such as a Podcast, and a fortnightly round-up of Care Act news for a small fee to the public and organisations. |
Individuals and organisations have also been sold advice from the Trading Company in cases regarded as outside the charity's purposes. |
FINANCIAL REVIEW |
Financial position |
The result for the year is set out on page 6. |
The trustees have decided to close down the charity and accordingly the tangible fixed assets and the fixed asset investment were disposed of at 31 March 2024. The trustees consider that there are sufficient resources to ensure that all liabilities can be settled before the entity applies to be removed from Companies House and the Charity Commission registers. |
Reserves policy |
As mentioned above, the charity considers that it has sufficient funds to enable the settlement of its remaining liabilities. |
Centre for Adults' Social Care Advice, |
Information and Dispute Resolution (Registered number: 10563291) |
Report of the Trustees |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT |
Governing document |
CASCAIDr is a charitable company limited by guarantee and was incorporated on the 13th January 2017 as amended on 27th November 2018. |
The charity is controlled by its articles of association and memorandum and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006. |
It is registered as a Charity with the Charity Commission. The members have agreed to contribute a maximum of £1 each in the event of the company winding up. The number of members is limited to at least 3 and not more than 5 individuals over the age of 18, all of whom must support the Objects. The Company Directors are also Trustees of the Charity. It is governed by Memorandum and Articles of Association, which established the objects and powers of the charitable company. The Board of Trustees comprises 5 members, who also act as company directors. All the Directors and Trustees, henceforth referred to as Trustees, as detailed on Page 4, have served throughout the year unless otherwise stated. |
Their principal role continued to be to determine and monitor the strategic direction of the charity, ensure financial viability and adhere to the highest standards of governance. The Board has power to appoint additional Trustees if it considers fit to do so, subject to a maximum of five. New Trustees are selected based on their specialist knowledge e.g. legal, management, financial, medical expertise, and experience. Trustees are generally recruited through networking of current Trustees and the interactions that the Charity has with the community. Prospective Trustees are provided with information about the Charity Objects, aims and an introduction to the work of the Charity. They are also provided with information on the role of trustee and charity law, including the Charity Commission's guidance: 'The Essential Trustee' [2018]. As part of an induction, trustees are provided with all relevant policies and procedures. |
The Board meets quarterly (online) to determine policy, set the strategic priorities and targets and monitor the effectiveness of the organisation against these. The Board also regularly reviews the quality of case work in order to ensure a high-quality service. |
Responsibility for day to day management of CASCAIDr's output is with the Voluntary CEO, Ms Schwehr. She has principal responsibility for staffing, operational work planning with the newly appointed Operations Manager, and ensuring legal advice and casework is conducted to a high quality and meets the targets set by the Trustees. She is also responsible for collating and reporting to the Trustees on strategic issues arising from case work. Trustees provide line management and supervision for the Voluntary CEO, led by Aidan Pollitt in his capacity as Chair of the Board. |
Risk management: The Trustees have a risk management statement which identifies the uncertainty surrounding events and their outcomes that may have a significant effect, either enhancing or inhibiting - operational performance; achievement of CASCAIDR's aims and objectives; or meeting expectations of any stakeholders. |
The risk management process requires that the Trustees review annually all current and future risks that the Charity may face. A register of risk is maintained which details the establishment of systems and procedures to mitigate identified risks and the implementation of procedures designed to minimise any potential impact on the charity should those risks materialise. Another key area that the Trustees review each year is the impact of possible conflicts of interest within the Board, especially in relation to CASCAIDr Trading Ltd. The Board feel that this area is well understood and managed. |
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS |
Registered Company number |
Registered Charity number |
Centre for Adults' Social Care Advice, |
Information and Dispute Resolution (Registered number: 10563291) |
Report of the Trustees |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
Registered office |
Trustees |
Voluntary Chief Executive and Company Secretary |
Ms Belinda Schwehr |
Independent Examiner |
A J Bennewith |
FCA, FCPA, FFA, FFTA, FIPA, DChA, FRSA |
Upper Ground Floor |
18 Farnham Road |
Guildford |
Surrey |
GU1 4XA |
EVENTS SINCE THE END OF THE YEAR |
Information relating to events since the end of the year is given in the notes to the financial statements. |
Approved by order of the board of trustees on |
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of |
Centre for Adults' Social Care Advice, |
Information and Dispute Resolution |
Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Centre for Adults' Social Care Advice, Information and Dispute Resolution ('the Company') |
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 March 2024. |
Responsibilities and basis of report |
As the charity's trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act'). |
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity's accounts as carried out under Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act. |
Independent examiner's statement |
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe: |
1. | accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by Section 386 of the 2006 Act; or |
2. | the accounts do not accord with those records; or |
3. | the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of Section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or |
4. | the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities (applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)). |
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. |
....................................................... |
A J Bennewith |
FCA, FCPA, FFA, FFTA, FIPA, DChA, FRSA |
Upper Ground Floor |
18 Farnham Road |
Guildford |
Surrey |
GU1 4XA |
15 November 2024 |
Centre for Adults' Social Care Advice, |
Information and Dispute Resolution |
Statement of Financial Activities |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
31.3.24 | 31.3.23 |
Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total |
fund | funds | funds | funds |
Notes | £ | £ | £ | £ |
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM |
Donations and legacies | 2 |
Charitable activities | 4 |
Investment income | 3 |
Other income |
Total |
EXPENDITURE ON |
Raising funds |
Charitable activities |
Total |
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) |
Transfers between funds | 13 | (13,990 | ) | 13,990 | - | - |
Net movement in funds | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) |
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS |
Total funds brought forward |
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD | ( |
) | ( |
) | 75,566 |
Centre for Adults' Social Care Advice, |
Information and Dispute Resolution (Registered number: 10563291) |
Balance Sheet |
31 March 2024 |
31.3.24 | 31.3.23 |
Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total |
fund | funds | funds | funds |
Notes | £ | £ | £ | £ |
FIXED ASSETS |
Tangible assets | 9 |
Investments | 10 |
CURRENT ASSETS |
Debtors | 11 |
Cash at bank |
CREDITORS |
Amounts falling due within one year | 12 | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) |
NET CURRENT ASSETS/(LIABILITIES) | ( |
) | ( |
) |
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES | ( |
) | ( |
) |
NET ASSETS | ( |
) | ( |
) |
FUNDS | 13 |
Unrestricted funds | ( |
) | 75,062 |
Restricted funds | 504 |
TOTAL FUNDS | ( |
) | 75,566 |
The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 March 2024. |
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006. |
The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for |
(a) | ensuring that the charitable company keeps accounting records that comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and |
(b) | preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the end of each financial year and of its surplus or deficit for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charitable company. |
Centre for Adults' Social Care Advice, |
Information and Dispute Resolution (Registered number: 10563291) |
Balance Sheet - continued |
31 March 2024 |
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to charitable companies subject to the small companies regime. |
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on |
Centre for Adults' Social Care Advice, |
Information and Dispute Resolution |
Notes to the Financial Statements |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
1. | ACCOUNTING POLICIES |
Basis of preparing the financial statements |
The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, with the exception of investments which are included at market value. |
Income |
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably. |
Expenditure |
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. |
Tangible fixed assets |
Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life. |
Taxation |
The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities. |
Fund accounting |
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees. |
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes. |
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements. |
Centre for Adults' Social Care Advice, |
Information and Dispute Resolution |
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
2. | DONATIONS AND LEGACIES |
31.3.24 | 31.3.23 |
£ | £ |
Donations |
Gift aid |
3. | INVESTMENT INCOME |
31.3.24 | 31.3.23 |
£ | £ |
Dividends receivable | - | 903 |
4. | INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
31.3.24 | 31.3.23 |
Activity | £ | £ |
Advisory services | Charitable activities | 37,225 | 17,749 |
Training fees | Charitable activities | 2,963 | 27,483 |
Grants | Charitable activities | 60,000 | 100,000 |
31.3.24 | 31.3.23 |
£ | £ |
Access to Justice Foundation | 50,000 | 100,000 |
National Lottery Community Fund | 10,000 | - |
60,000 | 100,000 |
5. | NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) |
The net income (expenditure) for the year is stated after charging/ |
(crediting): |
31.3.24 | 31.3.23 |
£ | £ |
Independent Examiner's Remuneration | 4,320 | 3,000 |
Profit on disposal of subsidiary undertaking | (999 | ) | - |
Centre for Adults' Social Care Advice, |
Information and Dispute Resolution |
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
6. | TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS |
There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2024 nor for the year ended 31 March 2023. |
Trustees' expenses |
No expenses were reimbursed to trustees during the year ended 31 March 2024 (2023: £nil). |
7. | STAFF COSTS |
There were no staff costs for the year ended 31 March 2024 or for the year ended 31 March 2023. |
The average number of employees during the year was 0 (2023: 0). |
8. | COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES |
Unrestricted | Restricted | Total |
fund | fund | funds |
£ | £ | £ |
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM |
Donations and legacies |
Charitable activities |
Investment income |
Other income |
Total |
EXPENDITURE ON |
Raising funds |
Charitable activities |
Total |
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) | ( |
) |
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS |
Total funds brought forward | 24,477 | 5,830 |
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD | 75,062 | 504 | 75,566 |
Centre for Adults' Social Care Advice, |
Information and Dispute Resolution |
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
9. | TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS |
Computer |
equipment |
£ |
COST |
At 1 April 2023 |
Additions |
Disposals | ( |
) |
At 31 March 2024 |
DEPRECIATION |
At 1 April 2023 |
Charge for year |
Eliminated on disposal | ( |
) |
At 31 March 2024 |
NET BOOK VALUE |
At 31 March 2024 |
At 31 March 2023 |
10. | FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS |
31.3.24 | 31.3.23 |
£ | £ |
Shares in group undertaking | - | 1 |
The charity owned 100% of the ordinary share capital of Cascaidr Trading Ltd for the whole of the year up to 31 March 2024, when the only issued share was sold to the Voluntary CEO and Company Secretary for £1,000. |
At 31 March 2024 Cascaidr Trading Ltd had aggregate capital and reserves of £8,267 (2023: £958) and its result for the year ended 31 March 2024 was a profit of £7,309 (2023: profit of £1,860). |
Centre for Adults' Social Care Advice, |
Information and Dispute Resolution |
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
11. | DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR |
31.3.24 | 31.3.23 |
£ | £ |
Trade debtors |
Other debtors |
Prepayments and accrued income |
12. | CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR |
31.3.24 | 31.3.23 |
£ | £ |
Amounts owed to group undertakings |
Accruals and deferred income |
Other creditors |
13. | MOVEMENT IN FUNDS |
Net | Transfers |
movement | between | At |
At 1.4.23 | in funds | funds | 31.3.24 |
£ | £ | £ | £ |
Unrestricted funds |
General fund | 75,062 | (61,318 | ) | (13,990 | ) | (246 | ) |
Restricted funds |
Salary costs contribution fund | 504 | (504 | ) | - | - |
Legacy campaign | - | (13,990 | ) | 13,990 | - |
(14,494 | ) |
TOTAL FUNDS | (75,812 | ) | (246 | ) |
Centre for Adults' Social Care Advice, |
Information and Dispute Resolution |
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
13. | MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued |
Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: |
Incoming | Resources | Movement |
resources | expended | in funds |
£ | £ | £ |
Unrestricted funds |
General fund | 125,776 | (187,094 | ) | (61,318 | ) |
Restricted funds |
Salary costs contribution fund | - | (504 | ) | (504 | ) |
Sander campaign | 8,497 | (8,497 | ) | - |
Legacy campaign | 9,770 | (23,760 | ) | (13,990 | ) |
( |
) | (14,494 | ) |
TOTAL FUNDS | ( |
) | (75,812 | ) |
Comparatives for movement in funds |
Net |
movement | At |
At 1.4.22 | in funds | 31.3.23 |
£ | £ | £ |
Unrestricted funds |
General fund | 24,477 | 50,585 | 75,062 |
Restricted funds |
Salary costs contribution fund | 5,830 | (5,326 | ) | 504 |
TOTAL FUNDS | 30,307 | 45,259 | 75,566 |
Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: |
Incoming | Resources | Movement |
resources | expended | in funds |
£ | £ | £ |
Unrestricted funds |
General fund | 163,135 | (112,550 | ) | 50,585 |
Restricted funds |
Salary costs contribution fund | 7,290 | (12,616 | ) | (5,326 | ) |
TOTAL FUNDS | 170,425 | (125,166 | ) | 45,259 |
Centre for Adults' Social Care Advice, |
Information and Dispute Resolution |
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
13. | MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued |
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows: |
Net | Transfers |
movement | between | At |
At 1.4.22 | in funds | funds | 31.3.24 |
£ | £ | £ | £ |
Unrestricted funds |
General fund | 24,477 | (10,733 | ) | (13,990 | ) | (246 | ) |
Restricted funds |
Salary costs contribution fund | 5,830 | (5,830 | ) | - | - |
Legacy campaign | - | (13,990 | ) | 13,990 | - |
5,830 | (19,820 | ) | 13,990 | - |
TOTAL FUNDS | 30,307 | (30,553 | ) | - | (246 | ) |
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: |
Incoming | Resources | Movement |
resources | expended | in funds |
£ | £ | £ |
Unrestricted funds |
General fund | 288,911 | (299,644 | ) | (10,733 | ) |
Restricted funds |
Salary costs contribution fund | 7,290 | (13,120 | ) | (5,830 | ) |
Sander campaign | 8,497 | (8,497 | ) | - |
Legacy campaign | 9,770 | (23,760 | ) | (13,990 | ) |
25,557 | (45,377 | ) | (19,820 | ) |
TOTAL FUNDS | 314,468 | (345,021 | ) | (30,553 | ) |
Restricted funds |
The Salary cost contribution fund was set up to fund the cost of recharging the salary from the subsidiary company to the charity. |
The Sander Campaign and the Legacy Campaign Funds were set up for initiatives for specific beneficiaries. |
Centre for Adults' Social Care Advice, |
Information and Dispute Resolution |
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
14. | RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES |
Up to 31 March 2024, the charity owned 100% of Cascaidr Trading Ltd, a company registered in England and Wales (number 10564898) . At 31 March 2024 the charity owed £10,221 to the trading company (2023: the charity owed £8,126 to the trading company). |
Ms Belinda Schwehr is the charity's voluntary CEO and company secretary. She is considered to be a member of the charity's Key Management Personnel. She is also a director of the trading company. |
During the year the charity paid £28,025 (2023: £27,539) to Care and Health Law Consultancy Services, a business of which Ms Belinda Schwehr is the sole proprietor. The payments were for consultancy and professional development services. £104 was also paid in respect of travel expenses for Ms Schwehr during the year (2023: £22) . |
In the year ended 31 March 2023, the trading company paid consultancy fees of £21,464 (2023: £10,343) to Ms Schwehr. |
As disclosed in note 10, the fixed asset investment was sold to Ms Schwehr for £1,000 at the balance sheet date. |
£589 (2023: £589) was paid for Directors' and Officers' liability insurance. The cost was split equally between the charity and the trading company. |
15. | POST BALANCE SHEET EVENTS |
As disclosed more fully in the Trustees' Report, it has been decided to close down the charity after the Balance Sheet date. |
16. | ULTIMATE CONTROLLING PARTY |
The trustees consider no entity to have a controlling interest in the charity. |