Charity registration number 1124807 (England and Wales)
Company registration number 06472055
LEICESTERSHIRE EMPOWERMENT FOR AUTISM TODAY
ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2024
LEICESTERSHIRE EMPOWERMENT FOR AUTISM TODAY
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
Trustees
Mrs S Macaffer
Mrs Carol Hunt
Ms DA Rogers
(Appointed 15 January 2024)
Ms CA Ross
(Appointed 15 January 2024)
Charity number (England and Wales)
1124807
Company number
06472055
Independent examiner
Tessa Fowler  BA FCA
C/o HSP Tax & Accounts Ltd
Whiteacres
Cambridge Road
Whetstone
Leicestershire
LE8 6ZG
LEICESTERSHIRE EMPOWERMENT FOR AUTISM TODAY
CONTENTS
Page
Trustees' report
1 - 2
Statement of trustees' responsibilities
3
Independent examiner's report
4
Statement of financial activities
5
Balance sheet
6
Notes to the financial statements
7 - 11
LEICESTERSHIRE EMPOWERMENT FOR AUTISM TODAY
TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2024
- 1 -

The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 October 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)” (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2016)

Objectives and activities

The charity's objects were:

 

"To deliver support and training to young people and adults with Autistic Spectrum Conditions and/or learning difficulties and provide advice, guidance and support to their parents and carers. "

 

LEAT is a provider of specialist support to young people 16 plus and adults with Autistic Spectrum Conditions, with most of our service-users having a diagnosis of Asperger syndrome. The core programme is providing consultancy support to clients who have funding in place from their local authorities. This year we have had an increasing amount of clients paying privately for their support.

The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.

Achievements and performance

 

During the year LEAT undertook the following work and projects:

 

Consultancy

 

Providing a wide range of individual person-centred autism specialist support mostly funded by the local Authority in the form of Direct Payments or Personal Budgets, which are paid to clients. Individual Support Plans are created by Adult Social Care for the person concerned and the support is delivered by LEAT staff in accordance with these plans. The support is delivered on a one to one basis with the focus on encouraging and supporting individuals to become more independent. This can include support to access the local community, engagement in voluntary work, paid employment, or further/higher education. We have supported service users with their university studies and issues they have had in the workplace, thus helping them to maintain their education and/or employment.

Other priority areas when supporting service-users has been to help them improve their social and communication skills, improve confidence, understand anxiety and stress learn coping strategies.

We have assisted several service-users by advocating for them to the Benefits Agency, Local Authority, GP, Hospital, Community Mental Health Services, Employers etc. We have also been successful in representing several service-users at Benefits Tribunal Hearings resulting in them having their benefits reinstated. This could be a growth area for LEAT due to the high level of government cuts to clients benefits such as PIP and ESA.

We continue to receive referrals from Adult Social Care and private paying people with Autism, and remain in a healthy financial position.

 

Other areas of support

We have several adults with Asperger syndrome who pay privately for services due to them not being eligible for Government funding. The support delivered is the same as that delivered to Consultancy clients but at a reduced cost. We also help and support people to apply for benefits and funding for services from the Local Authority that may have been previously denied.

LEICESTERSHIRE EMPOWERMENT FOR AUTISM TODAY
TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2024
- 2 -

Social Mornings

We host social mornings in various venues in Leicester city. These social mornings have proved to be of tremendous benefit to clients in helping them improve their social and communication skills, build confidence and they have formed friendships through meeting socially in a small group setting.

Training

The training has been delivered on both in person to individuals and remotely.

Financial review

The financial results are shown on page 5 of these financial statements.

The trustees regularly review the financial position of the charity and aim to keep reserves sufficient to cover at least three months of ongoing expenses.

The trustees has assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks.

Structure, governance and management

The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006.

 

Leicester Employment for Autism Today (LEAT) was registered as a Company limited by guarantee on 14 January 2008 and registered as a Charity on 2 July 2008. It is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association. On 1 November 2008 LEAT took over the work then being undertaken by the unincorporated charity of the same name.

The trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:

Mrs CD Leeland
(Resigned 15 January 2024)
Mrs AL Swinfield
(Resigned 15 January 2024)
Mrs S Macaffer
Mrs Carol Hunt
Ms DA Rogers
(Appointed 15 January 2024)
Ms CA Ross
(Appointed 15 January 2024)

Power to appoint new trustees lies with the Board of Trustees. Trustees are selected for their experience, skills and contacts in a variety of areas and their time is given freely. None of the trustees has any beneficial interest in the company. All of the trustees are members of the company and guarantee to contribute £1 in the event of a winding up.

The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.

Mrs Carol Hunt
Trustee
Dated: 28 July 2025
LEICESTERSHIRE EMPOWERMENT FOR AUTISM TODAY
STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES  
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2024
- 3 -

The trustees, who are also the directors of Leicestershire Empowerment For Autism Today for the purpose of company law, are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that year.

In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

- observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;

- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

- state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and

- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.

The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

LEICESTERSHIRE EMPOWERMENT FOR AUTISM TODAY
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
TO THE TRUSTEES OF LEICESTERSHIRE EMPOWERMENT FOR AUTISM TODAY
- 4 -

I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Leicestershire Empowerment For Autism Today (the charity) for the year ended 31 October 2024.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the trustees of the charity (and also its directors for the purposes of company law), you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

Having satisfied myself that the financial statements of the charity are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act 2011.

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 that in any material respect:

1

accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 386 of the Companies Act 2006.

2

the financial statements do not accord with those records; or

3

the financial statements do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 other than any requirement that the financial statements give a true and fair view, which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or

4

the financial statements 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 financial statements 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 financial statements to be reached.

Tessa Fowler  BA FCA
C/o HSP Tax & Accounts Ltd
Whiteacres
Cambridge Road
Whetstone
Leicestershire
LE8 6ZG
28 July 2025
LEICESTERSHIRE EMPOWERMENT FOR AUTISM TODAY
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2024
- 5 -
Unrestricted
Unrestricted
funds
funds
2024
2023
Notes
£
£
Income from:
Charitable activities
2
64,312
62,965
Investments
3
12
78
Total income
64,324
63,043
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
4
51,885
70,457
Total expenditure
51,885
70,457
Net income/(expenditure) and movement in funds
12,439
(7,414)
Reconciliation of funds:
Fund balances at 1 November 2023
40,787
48,201
Fund balances at 31 October 2024
53,226
40,787

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

LEICESTERSHIRE EMPOWERMENT FOR AUTISM TODAY
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT
31 OCTOBER 2024
31 October 2024
- 6 -
2024
2023
Notes
£
£
£
£
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
9
1
1
Current assets
Debtors
10
6,332
6,056
Cash at bank and in hand
50,527
41,763
56,859
47,819
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
11
(3,634)
(7,033)
Net current assets
53,225
40,786
Total assets less current liabilities
53,226
40,787
The funds of the charity
Unrestricted funds
53,226
40,787
53,226
40,787

The company is entitled to the exemption from the audit requirement contained in section 477 of the Companies Act 2006, for the year ended 31 October 2024.

The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 with respect to accounting records and the preparation of financial statements.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year in question in accordance with section 476.

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.

The financial statements were approved by the trustees on 28 July 2025
Mrs Carol Hunt
Trustee
Company registration number 06472055 (England and Wales)
LEICESTERSHIRE EMPOWERMENT FOR AUTISM TODAY
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2024
- 7 -
1
Accounting policies
Charity information

Leicestershire Empowerment For Autism Today is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is .

1.1
Accounting convention

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance 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)” (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2016). The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.

 

The charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities applying FRS 102 Update Bulletin 1 not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

1.2
Going concern

At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

1.3
Charitable funds

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.

Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors or grantors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.

1.4
Income

Income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

1.5
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.

 

Grants offered subject to conditions which have not been met at the year end date are noted as a commitment but not accrued as expenditure.

 

1.6
Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.

LEICESTERSHIRE EMPOWERMENT FOR AUTISM TODAY
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2024
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 8 -

Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:

Plant and machinery
33% on cost

The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.

1.7
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).

1.8
Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash, bank deposits and any other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.

1.9
Financial instruments

The charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value.

1.10
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.

1.11
Retirement benefits

Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.

1.12

Operating leases

Rentals payable under operating leases are charged as an expense on a straight line basis over the term of the relevant lease.

LEICESTERSHIRE EMPOWERMENT FOR AUTISM TODAY
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2024
- 9 -
2
Charitable activities
Unrestricted Funds
Total
2024
2023
£
£

Consultancy income

64,312
62,965
3

Investments

Unrestricted
Total
funds
general
2024
2023
£
£
Interest receivable
12
78
4
Charitable activities
Unrestricted
Total
funds
2024
2023
£
£
Staff costs
40,781
56,642

Travel and client activities

4,268
4,901

Rent

-
1,800

Insurance

67
-

Professional fees

4,813
4,348

Telephone

1,286
783

Computer and website

331
797

Postage and stationery

202
232

Sundry expenses

263
429

Interest payable

(126)
525
51,885
70,457
51,885
70,457
LEICESTERSHIRE EMPOWERMENT FOR AUTISM TODAY
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2024
- 10 -
5
Trustees

Included in the figure for professional fees is £380 paid to Mrs C Hunt. This is in respect of professional advisory services provided to the charity. This payment was made in accordance with the provisions of the governing document of the charity.

 

Mrs C Hunt was paid £368 as an allowance for phone and internet use and was reimbursed/had costs paid on her behalf of £2,379 for mileage, travel and subsistence expenses and other costs incurred on behalf of the charity.

 

 

Mrs C Hunt became a Trustee on 30 March 2023,

 

For the period when she was a Trustee in the year to 31 October 2023 Mrs C Hunt was paid £318 as an allowance for phone and internet use and was reimbursed/had costs paid on her behalf of £1,083 for mileage, travel and subsistence expenses and other costs incurred on behalf of the charity.

 

 

No amounts were reimbursed to trustees for expenses incurred in acting in that capacity.

6
Employees

The average monthly number of employees during the year was:

2024
2023
Number
Number
3
3
Employment costs
2024
2023
£
£
Wages and salaries
40,042
53,655
Social security costs
-
2,359
Other pension costs
739
628
40,781
56,642

Mrs C Hunt became a Trustee on 30 March 2023,

 

In the year to 31 October 2023, in respect of the period before she became a Trustee:

 

The total employment benefits, including employer pension contributions for Mrs Hunt amounted to £20,749.

 

An allowance for the use of home as an office was paid amounting to £1,800.

There were no employees whose annual remuneration was more than £60,000.
7
Fees to independent examiner

Fees for the Independent Examiner in relation to accounting and payroll services amounted to £1,044 (2023: £1,092)

LEICESTERSHIRE EMPOWERMENT FOR AUTISM TODAY
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2024
- 11 -
8
Taxation

The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.

9
Tangible fixed assets
Plant and machinery
£
Cost
At 1 November 2023
1,851
At 31 October 2024
1,851
Depreciation and impairment
At 1 November 2023
1,850
At 31 October 2024
1,850
Carrying amount
At 31 October 2024
1
At 31 October 2023
1
10
Debtors
2024
2023
Amounts falling due within one year:
£
£
Other debtors
6,332
6,056
11
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2024
2023
£
£
Other taxation and social security
2,121
4,405
Trade creditors
750
1,180
Other creditors
763
1,448
3,634
7,033
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