REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: |
REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: |
Report of the Trustees and |
Unaudited Financial Statements |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
for |
Home-Start South West Kent |
REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: |
REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: |
Report of the Trustees and |
Unaudited Financial Statements |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
for |
Home-Start South West Kent |
Home-Start South West Kent |
Contents of the Financial Statements |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
Page |
Report of the Trustees | 1 | to | 3 |
Independent Examiner's Report | 4 |
Statement of Financial Activities | 5 |
Balance Sheet | 6 | to | 7 |
Notes to the Financial Statements | 8 | to | 14 |
Home-Start South West Kent (Registered number: 05104961) |
Report of the Trustees |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
The Trustees present their report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024. |
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006 and "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)". |
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES |
Objectives and aims |
Under the Charity's Memorandum of Association, the objectives of the Charity are: |
- To safeguard, protect and preserve the good health, both mental and physical of children and parents of children; |
- To prevent cruelty to, or maltreatment of, children; |
- To relieve sickness, poverty and need amongst children and parents of children; |
- To promote the education of the public in the better standards of childcare especially within the County of Kent. |
The Charity offers support, friendship and practical help to parents with young children, in the Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge and Malling district and some areas of Sevenoaks district. This is done through the recruitment and training of volunteers, who are parents themselves, from the local community. These volunteers then visit families with at least one child under 5 at home to offer informal, friendly and confidential support, with back up from the Charity's qualified and experienced staff. |
This Charity's approach to service delivery is based on the importance of families, volunteering and the community. The Charity works in partnership with other voluntary and statutory agencies and also accepts direct referrals from families themselves. |
The Charity provides practical and emotional support to parents during difficult times, using trained and supported volunteers. Parents are supported to use the services in their area for example the Children's Centres, advice centres, mother and toddler groups and the local library. |
In the year, the Charity received 113 referrals and supported 113 families including 229 children. The supported families have been referred by Health Visitors, KCC Early Help and other sources, with 11% of our parents contacting us directly for support. |
An assessment is made of all families' needs, in terms of the following four categories, with subdivisions in each category. Families may only need support with one of these categories or in more than one. |
A - Parenting Skills - 94% of families supported improved. |
B- Parent's Well Being- 97% of families supported improved. |
C- Children's Well Being- 93% of families supported improved. |
D- Family Management - 95% of families supported improved. |
The trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit and are satisfied that the charitable objects or purposes of the charity and the way it operates meet the public benefit requirement. |
Home-Start South West Kent (Registered number: 05104961) |
Report of the Trustees |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT |
Review of the period |
The Charity had a surplus for the year of £4,922 (2023 - surplus £11,341). At the end of the period, net assets were £131,300 (2023 - £126,378). |
We have found in an increase in the complexity of families referred to our service, with a marked increase in parental mental health problems and special needs in children. In order to equip our volunteers to feel able to help families, we have continued to offer mental health first aid training, as well as training on perinatal and infant mental health. Our one to one support and supervision of volunteers has also increased, with a meeting with a co-ordinator now arranged at 6 week intervals. |
We were also able to offer families Christmas 'treats' such as visits to Santa, with the support of Waitrose in Paddock Wood. |
As in previous years, our volunteer numbers continued to increase, from 77 to 91 during the year, although numbers at the end of the year were 77, less than the increase we had aimed for in our business plan we agreed last year. Although we had been reasonably successful with recruitment, we also had a number of volunteer resignations, with some needing to return to work, look after grandchildren or elderly relatives. We continued throughout the year with our staff team of 6 representing 3.4 as a full time equivalent, and made the decision not to increase this capacity until our volunteer numbers warrant this. |
Our geographical coverage remained the same as last year, which is the districts of Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge and Malling as well as parts of the Sevenoaks district including Sevenoaks town, Edenbridge and surrounding villages. |
As reported last year, the competition for funds is noticeably higher, so whilst we continue to be supported by the vast majority of our existing funders, it is more challenging to find new sources. We also were unable to secure a renewal of one of our largest multi-year funders. These factors also influenced our decision not to increase staff numbers in line with our business plan. However, we remain committed to growing the charity and its reach when we are able to secure the appropriate funding and increase our volunteer numbers. |
The trustees believe that our reserves policy will protect us against any shortfall whilst we look for other funding sources to support this planned growth. |
Reserves policy |
The Charity requires reserves to protect its current activities, in order to allow the Trustees to meet their day-to-day responsibilities and to ensure that it continues to operate as a going concern. Reserves are maintained in accordance with the Reserves Policy. The Trustees conduct an annual review of the reserves to ensure that they are maintained in line with the policy and are at an appropriate level given the scale of operations and the financial obligations of the Charity. |
The Charity has a General Reserve and a Restricted Fund. As at 31 March 2024, the Restricted Fund of £2,397 comprises of four donations, two donations to be used as hardship funds for families being supported and two donations to be used as unspent Parish Council Grants for family support in each parish. Funds have been designated from the General Reserve to replace staff equipment. The Trustees have determined that the level of General Reserve, should be sufficient to allow an orderly winding down of activities, including meeting all obligations to staff and suppliers. In the event that the Charity is not successful in continuing to secure funding. Accordingly, as at 31 March 2024, based on future running costs of the Charity the General Reserves represent 9.5 months of expenditure. |
The Trustees feel that this is a prudent level given the increased running costs, commitments to families and also given the continuing uncertainties around the pandemic. The Trustees will keep the level of reserves under constant review. |
Risk Management |
As a Home-Start scheme, the Charity is bound to adopt the Home-Start UK Quality Standards, which were developed in conjunction with the Charities Evaluation Services. |
The Trustees are committed to ensuring that the Charity adheres to these |
standards which fall into four Quality Areas: |
Home-Start South West Kent (Registered number: 05104961) |
Report of the Trustees |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
1. Planning for success |
2. Leading a great team |
3. Making the most of data |
4. Safeguarding Children/Child Protection |
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS |
Registered Company number |
Registered Charity number |
Registered office |
Trustees |
Independent Examiner |
Aidan Smyth ACA FCCA |
Peter Hodgson & Co. |
Chartered Accountants |
Shadwell House |
65 Lower Green Road |
Tunbridge Wells |
Kent |
TN4 8TW |
Approved by order of the board of trustees on |
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of |
Home-Start South West Kent |
Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Home-Start South West Kent ('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. |
Aidan Smyth ACA FCCA |
Peter Hodgson & Co. |
Chartered Accountants |
Shadwell House |
65 Lower Green Road |
Tunbridge Wells |
Kent |
TN4 8TW |
Date: ............................................. |
Home-Start South West Kent |
Statement of Financial Activities |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
2024 | 2023 |
Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total |
fund | fund | funds | funds |
Notes | £ | £ | £ | £ |
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM |
Donations and legacies | 2 |
Charitable activities |
Other trading activities | 3 |
Investment income | 4 |
Total |
EXPENDITURE ON |
Raising funds |
Charitable activities | 5 |
Total |
NET INCOME |
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS |
Total funds brought forward |
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD | 126,378 |
Home-Start South West Kent (Registered number: 05104961) |
Balance Sheet |
31 March 2024 |
2024 | 2023 |
Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total |
fund | fund | funds | funds |
Notes | £ | £ | £ | £ |
FIXED ASSETS |
Tangible assets | 10 |
CURRENT ASSETS |
Debtors | 11 |
Cash at bank and in hand | 12 |
CREDITORS |
Amounts falling due within one year | 13 | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) |
NET CURRENT ASSETS |
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES |
NET ASSETS |
FUNDS | 14 |
Unrestricted funds | 124,731 |
Restricted funds | 1,647 |
TOTAL FUNDS | 126,378 |
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. |
Home-Start South West Kent (Registered number: 05104961) |
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 |
Home-Start South West Kent |
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. |
Changes in accounting policies |
There have been no changes in the accounting policies adopted by the charity in either the current or previous years. |
Incoming resources |
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. |
Gifts in kind donated for distribution are included at valuation and recognised as income when they are distributed to the projects. Gifts donated for resale are included as income when they are sold. Donated facilities are included at the value to the company where this can be quantified and a third party is bearing the cost. No amounts are included in the financial statements for the services donated by the volunteers. |
Donated services or facilities, which comprise donated services,are included in income at a valuation which is as estimate of the financial cost borne by the donor where such a cost is quantifiable and measurable. No income is recognised where there is no financial cost borne by a third party. |
Resources expended |
All expenditure is accounted for on an accrual basis and has been included under the expense categories that aggregate all costs for allocation activities. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular activities they have been allocated on a basis consistent with the use of the resources. |
Grants payable are charged in the year when the offer is made except in those cases where the offer is conditional, such grants being recognised as expenditure when the conditions attaching are fulfilled. Grants offered subject to conditions which have not been met at the year-end are noted as a commitment, but not accrued as expenditure. |
Expenditure includes Value Added Tax and is reported as part of the expenditure to which it relates. |
Governance costs comprise the costs involving the public accountability of the charity (including independent examination costs) nad costs in respect to its compliance with regulation and good practice. |
Tangible fixed assets |
Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life. |
Improvements to property | - |
Fixtures and fittings | - |
Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of |
depreciation and any impairment losses. |
The gain or loss arising on disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in net income/(expenditure) for the year. |
Home-Start South West Kent |
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
1. | ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued |
Taxation |
As a charity, Home-Start South West Kent is generally exempt from taxation with the exception of Value Added Tax. Where appropriated, all expenditure is stated inclusive of the related Value Added Tax. |
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. |
Critical accounting estimates and judgements |
In application of the charity's accounting policies, the Trustees are required to make judgements,estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods. |
Impairment of fixed assets |
At each reporting end date, the charity reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any). |
Going concern |
At the time of approving the financial statements, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements. |
Functional currency |
The functional currency used by the charity is £ sterling. |
Employee benefits |
The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee's services are received. Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits. |
2. | DONATIONS AND LEGACIES |
2024 | 2023 |
£ | £ |
Donations |
Home-Start South West Kent |
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
3. | OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES |
2024 | 2023 |
£ | £ |
Fundraising events |
4. | INVESTMENT INCOME |
2024 | 2023 |
£ | £ |
Deposit account interest |
5. | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS |
Fundraising costs incurred in the year amounted to £11,582 (2023 : £10,680). |
Other costs incurred in the year amounted to £140,531 and all related to charitable activities (2023 : £127,215). |
6. | NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) |
Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting): |
2024 | 2023 |
£ | £ |
Depreciation - owned assets |
Hire of equipment | 442 | 442 |
7. | 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 |
There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 March 2024 nor for the year ended 31 March 2023. |
8. | STAFF COSTS |
2024 | 2023 |
£ | £ |
Wages and salaries |
Social security costs |
Other pension costs |
105,679 | 90,926 |
The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows: |
2024 | 2023 |
Administration and marketing |
Home-Start South West Kent |
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
9. | COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - VERSUS 2023 |
Unrestricted | Restricted | Total |
fund | fund | funds |
£ | £ | £ |
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM |
Donations and legacies |
Charitable activities |
Investment income |
Total |
EXPENDITURE ON |
Raising funds |
Charitable activities |
Total |
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) | ( |
) |
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS |
Total funds brought forward | 112,685 | 2,352 |
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD | 124,731 | 1,647 | 126,378 |
10. | TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS |
Improvements | Fixtures |
to | and |
property | fittings | Totals |
£ | £ | £ |
COST |
At 1 April 2023 |
Additions |
At 31 March 2024 |
DEPRECIATION |
At 1 April 2023 |
Charge for year |
At 31 March 2024 |
NET BOOK VALUE |
At 31 March 2024 |
At 31 March 2023 |
Home-Start South West Kent |
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
11. | DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR |
2024 | 2023 |
£ | £ |
Prepayments |
12. | CASH AT BANK AND IN HAND |
2024 | 2023 |
General | Restricted | Total | Total |
fund | fund | funds | funds |
£ | £ | £ | £ |
Cash in hand | 500 | - |
Bank current & deposit accounts | 132,118 | 2,397 | 134,515 | 128,208 |
Total | 132,618 | 2,397 |
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and over bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities. |
13. | CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR |
2024 | 2023 |
£ | £ |
Social security and other taxes |
Accounts payable |
Accrued expenses |
14. | MOVEMENT IN FUNDS |
Net |
movement | At |
At 1.4.23 | in funds | 31.3.24 |
£ | £ | £ |
Unrestricted funds |
General fund | 124,731 | 4,172 | 128,903 |
Restricted funds |
Restricted fund |
1,647 | 750 | 2,397 |
TOTAL FUNDS | 4,922 | 131,300 |
Home-Start South West Kent |
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
14. | 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 | 65,585 | (61,413 | ) | 4,172 |
Restricted funds |
Restricted fund |
91,450 | (90,700 | ) | 750 |
TOTAL FUNDS | ( |
) | 4,922 |
Comparatives for movement in funds |
Net |
movement | At |
At 1.4.22 | in funds | 31.3.23 |
£ | £ | £ |
Unrestricted funds |
General fund | 112,685 | 12,046 | 124,731 |
Restricted funds |
Restricted fund |
2,352 | (705 | ) | 1,647 |
TOTAL FUNDS | 115,037 | 11,341 | 126,378 |
Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: |
Incoming | Resources | Movement |
resources | expended | in funds |
£ | £ | £ |
Unrestricted funds |
General fund | 45,731 | (33,685 | ) | 12,046 |
Restricted funds |
Restricted fund |
103,505 | (104,210 | ) | (705 | ) |
TOTAL FUNDS | 149,236 | (137,895 | ) | 11,341 |
Home-Start South West Kent |
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
14. | MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued |
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows: |
Net |
movement | At |
At 1.4.22 | in funds | 31.3.24 |
£ | £ | £ |
Unrestricted funds |
General fund | 112,685 | 16,218 | 128,903 |
Restricted funds |
Restricted fund |
2,352 | 45 | 2,397 |
TOTAL FUNDS | 115,037 | 16,263 | 131,300 |
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 | 111,316 | (95,098 | ) | 16,218 |
Restricted funds |
Restricted fund |
194,955 | (194,910 | ) | 45 |
TOTAL FUNDS | 306,271 | (290,008 | ) | 16,263 |
15. | RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES |