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Registration number: 07931653

Hopedale Children And Family Services Limited

Annual Report and Financial Statements

for the Year Ended 31 August 2025

 

Hopedale Children And Family Services Limited

Contents

Company Information

1

Strategic Report

2

Directors' Report

3

Statement of Directors' Responsibilities

4

Independent Auditor's Report

5 to 7

Profit and Loss Account

8

Balance Sheet

9

Statement of Changes in Equity

10

Notes to the Financial Statements

11 to 19

 

Hopedale Children And Family Services Limited

Company Information

Directors

S M Deaville

D R John

C Sutherland

J J Vellacott

Registered office

Hopedale House
Off West Drive
Cheddleton
Leek
Staffordshire
ST13 7ED

Auditors

Hazlewoods LLP Windsor House
Bayshill Road
Cheltenham
GL50 3AT

 

Hopedale Children And Family Services Limited

Strategic Report for the Year Ended 31 August 2025

The directors present their strategic report for the year ended 31 August 2025.

Fair review of the business

The results for the year which are set out in the profit and loss account show turnover of £29,959,409 (2024 - £22,433,652) and an operating profit after exceptional items of £7,090,915 (2024 - £19,726,796). At 31 August 2025 the company had net assets of £28,418,673 (2024 - £22,450,660). The directors consider the performance for the year and the financial position at the year end to be satisfactory.

Given the nature of the business, the group's director is of the opinion that key performance indicators are important. The group uses a number of indicators to monitor and improve development, performance or the position of the business. Indicators are reviewed and altered to meet changes both in the internal and external environments. The director does not consider the inclusion of an analysis using key performance indicators to be necessary to assist users of the financial statements in their understanding of the financial performance or position of the group.

Financial instruments

Objectives and policies

The group is exposed to the usual credit and cash flow risks associated with selling on credit and manages this through credit control procedures. The nature of its financial instruments means that price and liquidity risks are minimised by the predetermination of the group funding facilities and terms. The board monitors the group's trading results with a view to ensuring that the company can meet its future obligations as they fall due.

Price risk, credit risk, liquidity risk and cash flow risk

The company is exposed to the usual credit and cash flow risk associated with selling on credit and manages this through credit control procedures. The nature of its financial instruments are such that they are not subject to price risk or liquidity risk.

The company has sufficient resources available and the directors have prepared forecasts for the next 12 months that this will continue to be the case. The directors therefore have a reasonable expectation that the company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future and have continued to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.

Principal risks and uncertainties

The management of the business and the execution of the company's strategy are subject to a number of risks. The Directors consider the key business risks and uncertainties affecting the company to be the continued availability of adequate government funding for care and education, the ongoing compliance with regulations governing the sector, the ability to recruit and retain high quality employees and access to funding for growth.

Approved by the Board on 27 February 2026 and signed on its behalf by:


D R John
Director

 

Hopedale Children And Family Services Limited

Directors' Report for the Year Ended 31 August 2025

The directors present their report and the financial statements for the year ended 31 August 2025.

Directors of the company

The directors who held office during the year were as follows:

S M Deaville

D R John

C Sutherland

J J Vellacott

Principal activity

The principal activity of the company is the provision of educational services.

Employee involvement

The company's policy is to encourage the involvement of employees in the operations and management of the business through regular departmental meetings, staff conferences and regular communication. We strive to listen to our staff and continue to adapt and develop our working practices to best recognise the invaluable work our staff team undertake.

Employment of disabled persons

The company's policy is to consider the recruitment of disabled workers for those vacancies they are able to fill. All necessary assistance with initial training is given. Arrangements are made, wherever possible, for retraining employees who become disabled, to enable them to perform work identified as appropriate to their aptitudes and abilities.

Future developments

The directors continue to pursue opportunities to grow the business, in particular through the acquisition and development of new sites to expand the company’s offering of high quality care and education services.

Disclosure of information to the auditors

Each director has taken steps that they ought to have taken as a director in order to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the company's auditors are aware of that information. The directors confirm that there is no relevant information that they know of and of which they know the auditors are unaware.

Reappointment of auditors

Hazlewoods LLP have expressed their willingness to continue in office.

Approved by the Board on 27 February 2026 and signed on its behalf by:


D R John
Director

 

Hopedale Children And Family Services Limited

Statement of Directors' Responsibilities

The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for preparing the Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.

Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the directors have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law). Under company law the directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company and of the profit or loss of the company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the directors are required to:

select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;

make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

state whether applicable United Kingdom 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 company will continue in business.

The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the company's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company 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 company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

 

Hopedale Children And Family Services Limited

Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Hopedale Children And Family Services Limited

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Hopedale Children And Family Services Limited (the 'company') for the year ended 31 August 2025, which comprise the Profit and Loss Account, Balance Sheet, Statement of Changes in Equity, and Notes to the Financial Statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion the financial statements:

give a true and fair view of the state of the company's affairs as at 31 August 2025 and of its profit for the year then ended;

have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and

have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the auditor responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the directors' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the original financial statements were authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the directors with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Other information

The directors are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

 

Hopedale Children And Family Services Limited

Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Hopedale Children And Family Services Limited

Opinion on other matter prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:

the information given in the Strategic Report and Directors' Report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and

the Strategic Report and Directors' Report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of our knowledge and understanding of the company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Strategic Report and the Directors' Report.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or

the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or

certain disclosures of directors' remuneration specified by law are not made; or

we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.

Responsibilities of directors

As explained more fully in the Statement of Directors' Responsibilities set out on page 4, the directors are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the directors are responsible for assessing the company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the directors either intend to liquidate the company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor Responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

Extent to which the audit was capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:

We considered the nature of the company’s industry and its control environment and reviewed the company’s documentation of their policies and procedures relating to fraud and compliance with laws and regulations. We also enquired of management about their own identification and assessment of the risks of irregularities.

We obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory framework that the company operates in and identified the key laws and regulations that had a direct effect on the determination of material amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, including the UK Companies Act and tax legislation, and, those that do not have a direct effect on the financial statements but compliance with which may be fundamental to the company’s ability to operate or to avoid a material penalty.

We discussed among the audit engagement team regarding the opportunities and incentives that may exist within the organisation for fraud and how and where fraud might occur in the financial statements.

 

Hopedale Children And Family Services Limited

Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Hopedale Children And Family Services Limited

In common with all audits conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK), we are also required to perform specific procedures to respond to the risk of management override of controls. In addressing the risk of fraud through management override of controls, we tested the appropriateness of journal entries and other adjustments; assessed whether the judgements made in accounting estimates are indicative of a potential bias; and evaluated the business rationale of any significant transactions that are unusual or outside the normal course of business.

In addition to the above, our procedures to respond to the risks identified included the following:

reviewing financial statement disclosures by testing to supporting documentation to assess compliance with provisions of relevant laws and regulations described as having a direct effect on the financial statements;

performing analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected relationships that may indicate risks of material misstatements due to fraud;

enquiring of management concerning actual and potential litigation and claims and instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations; and

reading minutes of meetings of those charged with governance.

Our audit procedures were designed to respond to risks of material misstatement in the financial statements, recognising that the risk of not detecting a material misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one resulting from error, as fraud may involve deliberate concealment by, for example, forgery, misrepresentations or through collusion. There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures performed and the further removed non-compliance with laws and regulations is from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, the less likely we are to become aware of it.

A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.

Use of this report
This report is made solely to the company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the company’s members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the company and the company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.





Simon Worsley (Senior Statutory Auditor)
For and on behalf of Hazlewoods LLP, Statutory Auditor

Windsor House
Bayshill Road
Cheltenham
GL50 3AT

27 February 2026

 

Hopedale Children And Family Services Limited

Profit and Loss Account for the Year Ended 31 August 2025

Note

2025
£

2024
£

Turnover

3

29,959,409

22,433,652

Cost of sales

 

(13,113,350)

(9,296,030)

Gross profit

 

16,846,059

13,137,622

Administrative expenses

 

(9,621,200)

(7,180,939)

Exceptional items

5

(133,944)

13,770,113

Operating profit

4

7,090,915

19,726,796

Other interest receivable and similar income

6

1,125,603

505,352

Interest payable and similar expenses

7

(387,141)

(249,518)

Profit before tax

 

7,829,377

19,982,630

Tax on profit

11

(2,043,019)

19,945

Profit for the financial year

 

5,786,358

20,002,575

The above results were derived from continuing operations.

The company has no other comprehensive income for the period.

 

Hopedale Children And Family Services Limited

(Registration number: 07931653)
Balance Sheet as at 31 August 2025

Note

2025
£

2024
£

Fixed assets

 

Tangible assets

12

8,561,358

6,877,105

Current assets

 

Debtors: Amounts due within one year

13

2,674,043

3,258,327

Debtors: Amounts falling due after more than one year

13

27,444,189

20,428,690

Cash at bank and in hand

 

513,967

1,027,550

 

30,632,199

24,714,567

Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year

14

(1,156,339)

(589,758)

Net current assets

 

29,475,860

24,124,809

Total assets less current liabilities

 

38,037,218

31,001,914

Creditors: Amounts falling due after more than one year

14

(9,410,691)

(8,204,001)

Provisions for liabilities

11

(389,509)

(347,253)

Net assets

 

28,237,018

22,450,660

Capital and reserves

 

Called up share capital

40,000

40,000

Retained earnings

28,197,018

22,410,660

Shareholders' funds

 

28,237,018

22,450,660

Approved and authorised by the Board on 27 February 2026 and signed on its behalf by:
 


D R John
Director

 

Hopedale Children And Family Services Limited

Statement of Changes in Equity for the Year Ended 31 August 2025

Share capital
£

Retained earnings
£

Total
£

At 1 September 2024

40,000

22,410,660

22,450,660

Profit for the year

-

5,786,358

5,786,358

At 31 August 2025

40,000

28,197,018

28,237,018

Share capital
£

Retained earnings
£

Total
£

At 1 September 2023

40,000

2,408,085

2,448,085

Profit for the year

-

20,002,575

20,002,575

At 31 August 2024

40,000

22,410,660

22,450,660

 

Hopedale Children And Family Services Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 August 2025

 

1

General information

The company is a private company limited by share capital, incorporated in England and Wales.

The address of its registered office is:
Hopedale House
Off West Drive
Cheddleton
Leek
Staffordshire
ST13 7ED

 

2

Accounting policies

Summary of significant accounting policies and key accounting estimates

The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise stated.

Statement of compliance

These financial statements were prepared in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland and the Companies Act 2006'.

Basis of preparation

These financial statements have been prepared using the historical cost convention except for, where disclosed in these accounting policies, certain items that are shown at fair value.

The presentational currency of the financial statements is Pounds Sterling, being the functional currency of the primary economic environment in which the company operates. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest Pound.

Summary of disclosure exemptions

The company has not presented a cash flow statement on the grounds that the company is a wholly owned subsidiary and a group cash flow statement is included in the financial statements of the ultimate parent company.

Name of parent of group

These financial statements are consolidated in the financial statements of Rubicone Topco Limited.

The financial statements of Rubicone Topco Limited may be obtained from the companies house.

Going concern

After reviewing the company's forecasts and projections, the directors have a reasonable expectation that the company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. The company therefore continues to adopt the going concern basis in preparing its financial statements.

Judgements and estimation uncertainty

These financial statements do not contain any significant judgements or estimation uncertainty.

Revenue recognition

Turnover comprises the fair value of the consideration received or receivable for the provision of services in the ordinary course of the company’s activities. Turnover is shown net of sales/value added tax, returns, rebates and discounts and after eliminating sales within the company. The company recognises revenue when the amount of revenue can be reliably measured it is probable that future economic benefits will flow to the entity and specific criteria have been met for each of the company's activities.

Government grants

Government grants are recognised based on the accrual model and are measured at the fair value of the asset received or receivable. Grants are classified as relating either to revenue or to assets. Grants relating to revenue are recognised in income over the period in which the related costs are recognised. Grants relating to assets are recognised over the expected useful life of the asset. Where part of a grant relating to an asset is deferred, it is recognised as deferred income.

 

Hopedale Children And Family Services Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 August 2025

Tax

The tax expense for the period comprises current and deferred tax. Tax is recognised in the profit and loss account, except that a charge attributable to an item of income or expense recognised as other comprehensive income is also recognised directly in other comprehensive income.

The current tax charge is calculated on the basis of tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting date in the countries where the company operates and generates taxable income.

Deferred tax is recognised on temporary differences arising between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts in the financial statements and on unused tax losses or tax credits in the company. Deferred tax is determined using tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting date.

The carrying amount of deferred tax assets are reviewed at each reporting date and a valuation allowance is set up against deferred tax assets so that the net carrying amount equals the highest amount that is more likely than not to be recovered based on current or future taxable profit.

Tangible assets

Tangible assets are stated in the balance sheet at cost, less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses.

The cost of tangible assets includes directly attributable incremental costs incurred in their acquisition and installation.

Depreciation

Depreciation is charged so as to write off the cost of assets, over their estimated useful lives, as follows:

Asset class

Depreciation method and rate

Freehold property

10% straight line

Office equipment

33% reducing balance

Fixtures and fittings

25% reducing balance

Motor vehicles

25% reducing balance

Computer equipment

25% reducing balance

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and call deposits, and other short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value.

Trade debtors

Trade debtors are amounts due from customers for services performed in the ordinary course of business.

Trade debtors are recognised initially at the transaction price. All trade debtors are repayable within one year and hence are included at the undiscounted cost of cash expected to be received. A provision for the impairment of trade debtors is established when there is objective evidence that the company will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the original terms of the debtors.

Trade creditors

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Accounts payable are classified as current liabilities if the company does not have an unconditional right, at the end of the reporting period, to defer settlement of the creditor for at least twelve months after the reporting date. If there is an unconditional right to defer settlement for at least twelve months after the reporting date, they are presented as non-current liabilities.

Trade creditors are recognised initially at the transaction price and all are repayable within one year and hence are included at the undiscounted amount of cash expected to be paid.

Leases

Leases in which substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership are retained by the lessor are classified as operating leases. Payments made under operating leases are charged to profit or loss on a straight-line basis over the period of the lease.

 

Hopedale Children And Family Services Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 August 2025

Share capital

Ordinary shares are classified as equity. Equity instruments are measured at the fair value of the cash or other resources received or receivable, net of the direct costs of issuing the equity instruments. If payment is deferred and the time value of money is material, the initial measurement is on a present value basis.

Defined contribution pension obligation

A defined contribution plan is a pension plan under which fixed contributions are paid into a pension fund and the company has no legal or constructive obligation to pay further contributions even if the fund does not hold sufficient assets to pay all employees the benefits relating to employee service in the current and prior periods.

Contributions to defined contribution plans are recognised as employee benefit expense when they are due. If contribution payments exceed the contribution due for service, the excess is recognised as a prepayment.

Financial instruments


Classification
Financial instruments are classified and accounted for according to the substance of the contractual arrangement, as financial assets, financial liabilities or equity instruments. An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of the company after deducting all of its liabilities. Where shares are issued, any component that creates a financial liability of the company is presented as a liability on the balance sheet. The corresponding dividends relating to the liability component are charged as interest expenses in the profit and loss account.

 Recognition and measurement
All financial assets and liabilities are initially measured at transaction price (including transaction costs), except for those financial assets classified as at fair value through profit or loss, which are initially measured at fair value (which is normally the transaction price excluding transaction costs), unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction. If an arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, the financial asset or financial liability is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest for a similar debt instrument.

 Impairment
Assets, other than those measured at fair value, are assessed for indicators of impairment at each balance sheet date. If there is objective evidence of impairment, an impairment loss is recognised in profit or loss as described below.

A non financial asset is impaired where there is objective evidence that, as a result of one or more events that occurred after initial recognition, the estimated recoverable value of the asset has been reduced. The recoverable amount of an asset is the higher of its fair value less costs to sell and its value in use.

The recoverable amount of goodwill is derived from measurement of the present value of the future cash flows of the cash-generating units ('CGUs') of which the goodwill is a part. Any impairment loss in respect of a CGU is allocated first to the goodwill attached to that CGU, and then to other assets within that CGU on a pro-rata basis.

Where indicators exist for a decrease in impairment loss, the prior impairment loss is tested to determine reversal. An impairment loss is reversed on an individual impaired asset to the extent that the revised recoverable value does not lead to a revised carrying amount higher than the carrying value had no impairment been recognised. Where a reversal of impairment occurs in respect of a CGU, the reversal is applied first to the assets (other than goodwill) of the CGU on a pro-rata basis and then to any goodwill allocated to that CGU.

For financial assets carried at amortised cost, the amount of an impairment is the difference between the asset’s carrying amount and the present value of estimated future cash flows, discounted at the financial asset’s original effective interest rate.

For financial assets carried at cost less impairment, the impairment loss is the difference between the asset’s carrying amount and the best estimate of the amount that would be received for the asset if it were to be sold at the reporting date.

Where indicators exist for a decrease in impairment loss, and the decrease can be related objectively to an event occurring after the impairment was recognised, the prior impairment loss is tested to determine reversal. An impairment loss is reversed on an individual impaired financial asset to the extent that the revised recoverable value does not lead to a revised carrying amount higher than the carrying value had no impairment been recognised.

 

Hopedale Children And Family Services Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 August 2025

 

3

Turnover

The total turnover of the company has been derived from its principal activity wholly undertaken in the United Kingdom.

 

4

Operating profit

Arrived at after charging/(crediting)

2025
£

2024
£

Depreciation expense

324,803

282,169

Operating lease expense - property

4,930,233

3,365,076

Operating lease expense - plant and machinery

30,992

21,368

 

5

Exceptional items

2025
 £

2024
 £

Aborted project costs

133,944

50,946

Intercompany loan waivers

-

(13,821,059)

133,944

(13,770,113)

 

6

Other interest receivable and similar income

2025
£

2024
£

Group interest receivable

1,125,603

464,911

Bank interest receivable

-

40,441

1,125,603

505,352

 

7

Interest payable and similar expenses

2025
£

2024
£

Bank interest paid

385

-

Group interest payable

386,756

249,518

387,141

249,518

 

Hopedale Children And Family Services Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 August 2025

 

8

Staff costs

The aggregate payroll costs (including directors' remuneration) were as follows:

2025
£

2024
£

Wages and salaries

11,851,385

8,589,769

Social security costs

1,161,274

719,988

Pension costs, defined contribution scheme

1,712,485

1,144,922

14,725,144

10,454,679

The average number of persons employed by the company (including directors) during the year, analysed by category was as follows:

2025
No.

2024
No.

Administration

50

54

Education and care

427

332

477

386

 

9

Directors' remuneration

The directors' remuneration for the year was as follows:

2025
£

2024
£

Remuneration

207,361

235,104

Contributions paid to money purchase schemes

42,408

21,054

249,769

256,158

During the year the number of directors who were receiving benefits and share incentives was as follows:

2025
No.

2024
No.

Accruing benefits under money purchase pension scheme

2

2

In respect of the highest paid director:

2025
£

2024
£

Remuneration

104,915

124,397

Company contributions to money purchase pension schemes

28,255

9,817

 

10

Auditors' remuneration

Auditors' remuneration has been borne by a related party.

 

Hopedale Children And Family Services Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 August 2025

 

11

Taxation

Tax charged/(credited) in the profit and loss account

2025
£

2024
£

Current taxation

UK corporation tax

342

-

Group relief payable

2,000,421

-

2,000,763

-

Deferred taxation

Arising from origination and reversal of timing differences

42,256

(19,945)

Tax expense/(receipt) in the income statement

2,043,019

(19,945)

The tax on profit before tax for the year is lower than the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK (2024 - lower than the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK) of 25% (2024 - 25%).

The differences are reconciled below:

2025
£

2024
£

Profit before tax

7,829,377

19,982,630

Corporation tax at standard rate

1,957,344

4,995,658

Tax increase from effect of capital allowances and depreciation

1,338

-

Effect of revenues exempt from taxation

-

(3,455,265)

Effect of expense not deductible in determining taxable profit (tax loss)

-

7,060

Tax decrease arising from group relief

-

(1,566,006)

Deferred tax expense/(credit) from unrecognised temporary difference from a prior period

84,337

(1,392)

Total tax charge/(credit)

2,043,019

(19,945)

Deferred tax

Deferred tax assets and liabilities

2025

Liability
£

Difference between accumulated depreciation and capital allowances

389,509

389,509

2024

Liability
£

Difference between accumulated depreciation and capital allowances

347,253

347,253

 

Hopedale Children And Family Services Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 August 2025

 

12

Tangible assets

Land and buildings
£

Furniture, fittings and equipment
 £

Motor vehicles
 £

Total
£

Cost or valuation

At 1 September 2024

6,276,857

1,068,080

218,914

7,563,851

Additions

1,843,203

140,743

41,320

2,025,266

Disposals

(16,210)

-

-

(16,210)

At 31 August 2025

8,103,850

1,208,823

260,234

9,572,907

Depreciation

At 1 September 2024

206,119

411,190

69,437

686,746

Charge for the year

100,479

182,568

41,756

324,803

At 31 August 2025

306,598

593,758

111,193

1,011,549

Carrying amount

At 31 August 2025

7,797,252

615,065

149,041

8,561,358

At 31 August 2024

6,070,738

656,890

149,477

6,877,105

 

13

Debtors

2025
£

2024
£

Trade debtors

373,738

1,343,490

Other debtors

406,591

13,460

Prepayments

3,113,489

3,080,878

Amounts owed by group undertakings

26,224,414

19,249,189

 

30,118,232

23,687,017

Less non-current portion

(27,444,189)

(20,428,690)

2,674,043

3,258,327

Details of non-current trade and other debtors

£26,224,414 (2024 -£19,249,189) of amounts owed by group undertakings is classified as non current.

£1,219,775 (2024 -£1,179,501) of rent deposits included in prepayments is classified as non current.

 

Hopedale Children And Family Services Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 August 2025

 

14

Creditors

Note

2025
£

2024
£

Due within one year

 

Trade creditors

 

108,137

131,895

Social security and other taxes

 

322,029

192,566

Other payables

 

193,080

240,135

Accruals

 

532,751

25,162

Corporation tax liability

11

342

-

 

1,156,339

589,758

Due after one year

 

Amounts owed to group undertakings

 

9,410,691

8,204,001

 

15

Pension and other schemes

Defined contribution pension scheme

The company operates a defined contribution pension scheme. The pension cost charge for the year represents contributions payable by the company to the scheme and amounted to £1,712,485 (2024 - £1,144,922).

 

16

Share capital

Allotted, called up and fully paid shares

2025

2024

No.

£

No.

£

Ordinary shares of £1 each

30,000

30,000

30,000

30,000

Ordinary A shares of £1 each

10,000

10,000

10,000

10,000

40,000

40,000

40,000

40,000

Rights, preferences and restrictions

The different classes of share referred to above carry separate rights to dividends but, in all other significant respects, rank pari passu.

 

17

Obligations under leases and hire purchase contracts

Operating leases

The total of future minimum lease payments is as follows:

2025
£

2024
£

Not later than one year

4,798,658

4,798,658

Later than one year and not later than five years

20,210,175

20,210,175

Later than five years

158,978,069

163,776,728

183,986,902

188,785,561

 

Hopedale Children And Family Services Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 August 2025

 

18

Contingent liabilities

The company is bound by an intra-group cross guarantee in respect of bank debt with other members of the group headed by its ultimate parent undertaking, Rubicone Topco Limited. The amount guaranteed is £98,687,792 (2024 - £93,738,604).

 

19

Related party transactions

Summary of transactions with key management

Key management personnel are considered to be the directors of the company and key management personnel compensation is disclosed in note 9 to the financial statements.
 

 

20

Parent and ultimate parent undertaking

The company's immediate parent is Shine Bidco Limited, incorporated in England and Wales.

 The ultimate parent is Rubicone Topco Limited, incorporated in England and Wales.