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2025-10-31-accounts

First Floor, Portal House, 7B Alkmaar Way, Norwich, NR6 6BF

W: www.norfolksennetwork.org E: norfolksennetwork@hotmail.co.uk Helpline: 0330 043 0225

Annual Report & Accounts

2024 – 2025

Linton Crescent Charity of the Year 2024

BrickFEST @ The Brickmakers and B2, 2025

Norfolk Cribbage Association

- Trustees Report 2024 25

I am delighted to present the annual review and accounts of Norfolk SEN Network for the period 1[st] November 2024 to 31[st] October 2025.

In what has once again proven to be a busy period for the charity, I would like to thank all staff, volunteers and trustees for their dedication, commitment and hard work in ensuring that we are able to continue to support children, young people and their families in accessing the education provision and support that they deserve and are entitled to. Without the knowledge, expertise and passion of our staff to ensure we achieve the best possible outcomes for families, our work would not be possible.

During the period, we supported 64 children from 60 families . Although the numbers are not too dissimilar from the previous year, the breadth of need and complexity of cases that we have seen throughout the period really does demonstrate that Norfolk SEN Network is as vital now for families as it has ever been. The number of identified diagnoses amongst the children and young people supported increased by 24% from 78 in the previous year, to 97 in the current period

We saw an increase of 46% in the level of activity and support we delivered during the 2024/25 period. We particularly saw increases in the number of meetings and support with schools for families, and an increase of 57% in tribunal support delivered. W e provided over 1,586 hours of direct one-to-one support with families, averaging around almost 26.5 hours per family, or 24.75 hours per child or young person.

Our helpline continued to be a busy and accessible resource for families, and we once again saw an increase in the number of calls received up from 405 calls in 2023/24 to 667 calls in 2024/25, an increase of 65%. The helpline took calls on 21 different subjects.

As many will be aware, without income, we would not be able to deliver our work and no work by Norfolk SEN Network is government or statutory funded as we are entirely independent. This means we rely on our own fundraising efforts, the support in donation and fundraising from others, income from our membership and grant and trust donations. We thank anyone that has donated to our charity, no matter how large or small your donation. If you would like to discuss ways in which you may be able to support our work, please do get in touch! Claire Brooks, landlady of The Brickmakers in Norwich continues to be an Ambassador for the charity and she is a great example of how others can support us. Thank you, Claire, for your ongoing support!

Thanks also to our Landlords NM Finance for their support throughout our tenancy.

Clayton Anderson

Chairperson 9[th] March 2026

Norfolk SEN Network Annual Report for 2024-25

Membership @ 31.10.25: Membership @ 31.10.25: 71 supported members 71 supported members
96 free email members
Ambassadors: Claire Brooks of the Brickmakers
Norwich Computers
Trustees: Clayton Anderson (Chair)
Pat Brickley (Vice Chair)
Julie Playford
Lucy Pollard
Tara Durrant
Alex O’Sullivan
Treasurer: Chris Jay
Employees: Nichola Corcoran Development Worker
(Lead from 01-09-25)
Karla Cooper
Development Worker
Rebecca Clifton Development Worker
Melissa Sole Development Worker
Danielle Cann Administrator/Helpline
Bankers: Barclays PLC, St. Stephens Branch, Norwich

Our aims and objectives

Our aims: are to help all parents of children with special educational needs to find the education which is right for their child and to support young people 16 to 25 to also find the right provision to meet their needs.

Norfolk SEN Network Annual Report for 2024-25

Who we support

The children we supported during 2024/25 had the following diagnosis:

Diagnosis 2024/25 2023/24
ADHD 19 17
Anxiety 6 2
Autism Spectrum Disorder(ASD) 42 34
Attachment and trauma issues 1 1
Awaitingdiagnosis 1 -
Dyslexia 3 4
Dyspraxia 3 3
GLUT1 DeficiencySyndrome 1 -
Hypermobility 2 -
Non-verbal 1 2
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder(OCD) 1 -
Pathological Demand Avoidance(PDA) 4 11
School trauma 2 -
Selective Mutism 2 2
Sensoryand SleepDifficulties 1 -
SensoryProcessingDisorder(SPD) 1 -
Severe Demand Avoidance 1 -
Social,Emotional. And Mental Health needs(SEMH) 3 2
Speech,Language and Communication Needs(SLCN) 1 -
Turner Syndrome 1 -
Visual Stress/Meares-Irlen Syndrome 1 -
Total: 97 78

Some children had a single diagnosis; many children had a multiple diagnosis. The table above demonstrates the breadth and complexity of diagnosis for the children, young people and families who we work with, highlighting how many children and young people have multiple needs that need to be understood and met to ensure they can access the best possible education and provision. The work of our Development Workers is key in identifying what support children and young people need and helping their families to achieve this.

“As a family, we have been navigating the world of SEN for six years with two children. We have spoken to so many services, charities, the Local Authority, coordinators, managers, helplines and read endless policy and law. Norfolk SEN Network has been the most helpful service in Norfolk for us as a family. Their advice line helped us with emergency review, rewriting the EHCP, naming a school, the SRB system, reports going missing and enforcing Section F of the EHCP. Nowhere else will answer the phone and actually help you. Their advice has been invaluable, and without it, I don't think my other child would be in education at all now. We are so grateful to them.”

During the year, we supported a total of 64 children and young people. Their age and genders were as follows:

**Age ** Male Female Total
4 2 1 3
5 3 2 5
6 2 2 4
7 1 - 1
8 5 2 7
9 3 - 3
10 2 - 2
11 5 1 6
12 7 1 8
13 1 4 5
14 - 6 6
15 5 4 9
16 2 1 3
17 1 - 1
18 - 1 1
Total: 39 25 64

This year, 61% of children and young people we supported were male, 39% were female. In our previous year, 68% were male and 32% were female. This represents a slight increase in the number of females we are supporting.

The ethnicity of families supported this year, based on categories from the GOV.UK 2021 census were:

Ethnicity 2024/25 2023/24
Asian or Asian British 2 2
Black,Black British,Caribbean or African 1 2
White 61 62
Total: 64 66

Our Development Work

Our Development Workers continue to work at full capacity, tirelessly supporting children, young people and their families to ensure that children and young people can access the education and support they deserve and are entitled to. In September 2025, Nichola Corcoran became our Lead Development Worker, overseeing our work and the staff team.

“As a parent navigating the tribunal process for my son, I cannot express how grateful I am. The development worker meticulously handled all the paperwork and consistently followed up with solicitors, guiding us seamlessly up to the hearing. Their support alleviated much of the stress, keeping me calm and focused during a challenging time.

Thanks to Norfolk SEN Network, we successfully obtained the EHCP our son desperately needed. I wholeheartedly recommend their services to anyone facing similar challenges. They truly make a difference!”

This year we have supported families with:

Type of Work 2024/25 2023/24
Annual Reviews 20 15
Applyingfor EHC assessments 14 18
Checkingdraft and final Plans 10 13
DDA Appeals 0 1
EarlyReview 5 3
Education Otherwise Than in a School(EOTIS) 2 0
Exclusions 4 2
Mediation 7 3
Medical Needs 3 0
Provision in school/alternativeprovision 9 9
School complaintsgovernors 2 0
Schoolplacements and meetings 15 12
School refusal 7 7
School support and meetings (including Family School
Partnerships (FSP), Early Help Assessment and Plan
(EHAP), Team Around the Family (TAF), Child Planning
Meeting (CPM),SENCo)		 22 0
Tribunals and tribunal support 22 14
Total: 142 97

Overall, we saw an increase of 46% in the level of activity and support we delivered during the 2024/25 period, as demonstrated by the previous table. We particularly saw increases in the number of meetings and support with schools for families, and an increase of 57% in tribunal support delivered. This clearly demonstrates the increasing need for our services, and the increased level of capacity required to keep up with demands.

This year, we provided over 1,586 hours of direct one-to-one support with families, averaging around almost 26.5 hours per family, or 24.75 hours per child or young person. The amount of time supporting each family ranged from just 1 hour, up to 128 hours.

Our Helpline Work

Our helpline is a free resource that families may call for advice and support. During the year, it was open Monday to Friday, 9am–2pm, with an answerphone service in place during other hours. We once again saw an increase in the number of calls received to our helpline, up from 405 calls in 2023/24 to 667 calls in 2024/25, an increase of 65%. The helpline took calls on 21 different subjects including:

The most often discussed subjects were tribunal support with 18% of all calls, application for statutory assessment at 10% of the call share and school placement and school not meeting needs / following a plan, each with 9%.

Social Media

We continue to post relevant updates and news stories to our social media accounts, accessed by families and professionals alike. We had a total of 3,414 followers across our social media accounts, an increase of 190 people, up by 8%. Our Facebook account performed well, showing an increase of followers increasing from 2,412 to 2,602.

Training events and coffee mornings

During the year, we ran a selection of informal coffee mornings and slightly more formal training events. These sessions included:

We thank all trainers and speakers for their time and contribution during the year in providing learning, support and advice to families and professionals.

Newsletter

Our free newsletter was sent out on four occasions to an average of 150 people each time during 2024/25. The newsletter includes information on our work and events, advice for families and information about our fundraising activities. If you would like to sign up for our newsletter, please do so via our website.

Fundraising

During 2024/25, we were thankful and fortunate to be supported by a range of funders, business, community groups and individuals. This support is invaluable in allowing us to continue our work with children, young people and their families, ensuring they can access the education and support they deserve and are entitled to. Support included:

Grants: We were fortunate to be supported during the period by Norfolk Community Foundation (via a Love Norfolk grant), The Masonic Charitable Foundation, The Paul Bassham Charitable Trust, an anonymous grant and our largest supporter, The National Lottery Community Fund. Thank you to all our funders for supporting our work.

Linton Crescent Christmas Lights: Thank you once again to Tony and Jeanette Fairweather for supporting us with their Christmas lights switch on in Linton Crescent, Norwich. The event raised £625.

Brickmakers BrickFEST: Our thanks to Claire Brooks and all involved in organising the great music event that is BrickFEST at The Brickmakers and B2 venues on Sprowston Road in Norwich. They donated an amazing total of £1,000!

Norfolk Cribbage Association: Thank you to the Norfolk Cribbage Association for supporting us, raising £295!

Selling donated goods: Several parents donated goods to the charity which we sell on Marketplace and at Garage Sales and Car Boot sales. We also sell books in our office.

Two Old Catton Garage sales raised £63. Thank you to Mike and Christine Shoot for lending us their garden.

Broadland Heart Lottery: Did you know that you can nominate us when buying tickets for the Broadland Heart Lottery which raises funds towards Independent Reports for parents? You can also win some good prizes! During the year, we raised £232, meaning we have now raised over £1,200 since we joined.

Other support: Thank you to Kate Quentin-Hicks, a member of Norfolk SEN Network, for raising £510 at their coffee and cake morning. Also, thank you to Mike Shoot for raising £20 from his Christmas carvings and to our very own Development Worker Beckie who raised £18 with a collection from Beebops, fun and interactive sensory music classes.

Other ways to help us: We can receive donations via PayPal and the PayPal Giving Fund. This has raised £967 in the financial period. Easy Fundraising raised £35 and Recylce4Charity raised £7.

Gift Aid your donation to give us an extra 20% on top of your donation.

Collecting tins – do you know an office or shop who would take one of our tins? If you do, please do get in touch!

Are you looking to do a run, jump out of a airplane or do another type of activity? Please do consider asking people for sponsorship to raise money for Norfolk SEN Network!

Income and expenditure

Our income level demonstrated a slight increase from £79,095 in 2023/24 to £80,511 in 2024/25.

Norfolk SEN Network Income 2024/25

----- Start of picture text -----
Tribunal fees, £955 Interest, £372
Subscriptions/membership,
£5,385
Fundraising and
other income,
£3,264
Donations and
grants, £70,535
----- End of picture text -----

Most areas of income remain consistent, with subscriptions and memberships showing an increase of 29%, up from £4,170 in 2023/24 to £5,385 in 2024/25 and donations and grants showing a 4% increase up from £67,635 in 2023/24 to £70,535 in 2024/25. Fundraising and other income demonstrated a 46% reduction in 2024/25, down to £3,264 from £6,091 in 2023/24. Expenditure was as follows:

Norfolk SEN Network Expenditure 2024/25

----- Start of picture text -----
Asset and investment Commission, £1,218 Fundraising costs, £420 Insurance, £490
purchases, £350
Light, Heat & Rates,
£3,627
Office Expenses, £819
Office rent, £16,500
Wages and payroll fees,
£43,798
Professional fees,
£5,783
Stationery & printing,
£2,337
Subscriptions &
membership, £55
Sundry, £640
Telephone, £988
Travel, £993
Training & food, £1,908
----- End of picture text -----

During 2024/25, our expenditure was slightly up on the previous year by £1,273, totalling £79,927. This was largely due to the increased wages and payroll fees which were up 36% by £11,666. This was largely because of running a full year with our extended staff team. Light, heat and rates also saw a substantial increase in expenditure of 143%, up to £3,627 from £1,490 in 2023/24, a difference of £2,137. Overall, we gained a surplus for the year of £441.

" We would highly recommend Norfolk SEN Network to any parent or carers seeking support.

Our development worker had so much knowledge and experience, having them advocate in our corner gave us confidence during the whole tribunal and left us feeling informed and empowered to continue to fight for what we know our little boy desperately deserved.

Without the invaluable support we received I don't think we would have had such a positive experience during what is a very challenging, time consuming period for parents.

We could not have wished for a better outcome. Thank you all at Norfolk SEN Network for providing such a beneficial service.”

Thank you to everyone involved in another successful year for Norfolk SEN Network where we continue to support and advocate for children, young people and families to ensure that they can access the education they deserve and are supported to achieve the best possible outcomes in their educational setting.

Clayton Anderson

Chairperson 9[th] March 2026

NORFOLK SEN NETWORK

Receipts and Payments Account 12 months ended 31 October 2025

Note
Receipts
Subscriptions
Tribunal fees
Delegate fees
Donations
1
Fundraising and other income
2
Interest received
Total receipts
Payments
Wages and payroll fees
Commission
Professional fees
Fundraising costs
Insurance
Subscriptions & membership
Light, Heat & Rates
Telephone
Office Expenses
Stationery & printing
Travel
Office rent
Training & food
Sundry
Sub total
Asset and investment purchases
Conference room chairs
Mini PC, Curved screen, floor cover
Newline Elara Interactive touchscreen and stand
Tea and Coffee urn
Laptops for new DW's
Furniture from Unitas
Furniture - lockable cabinet
Norwich Computers
Mobile phone
Laminator
Shredder
Sub total
Total payments
Net receipts/(payments)
Transfers between funds
Cash funds last year end
Cash funds this year end		 Unrestricted Restricted
Total
Last Year
Funds
Funds
Funds
2024
£
£
£
£		 Unrestricted Restricted
Total
Last Year
Funds
Funds
Funds
2024
£
£
£
£		 Unrestricted Restricted
Total
Last Year
Funds
Funds
Funds
2024
£
£
£
£		 Unrestricted Restricted
Total
Last Year
Funds
Funds
Funds
2024
£
£
£
£
5,385 5,385 4,170
955 955 645
0 0 175
300 70,235 70,535 67,635
3,264 3,264 6,091
372 372 379
10,276 70,235 80,511 79,095
692 43,106 43,798 32,132
1,218 1,218 946
2,885 2,898 5,783 7,157
420 420 2,083
104 386 490 612
55 55 50
0 3,627 3,627 1,490
0 988 988 704
819 819 651
2,337 2,337 1,999
993 993 1,066
16,500 16,500 19,801
200 1,708 1,908 3,852
640 640 795
10,365 69,212 79,577 73,338
0 200
0 708
0 3,700
0 48
0 590
0 50
0 20
0
350 350
0
0
0
350 0 350 5,316
10,715 69,212 79,927 78,654
(439) 1,023 585 441
0 0
218 28,182 28,400 27,959
(221) 29,205 28,984 28,400

NORFOLK SEN NETWORK

Notes to Receipts and Payments Account 31st October 2025

1. Donations and Grants

NCF Grant Anonymous Grant Masonic Charitable Foundation grant National Lottery grant Paul Bassham grant Donation Joanne Manners

Other

2. Fundraising and Other Income

Linton Crescen collection Bee Bops collection Linton crescent Collect Old Catton Garage Sale money for books in the office Easy fundraising Recycle4Charity Mike Shoot xmas carvings Norfolk Cribbage Old Catton Garage sale Brickmakers BrickFEST Fundraiser PayPal Donations - Unrestricted At Heart Lottery - Unrestricted

Unrestricted Restricted
Total
Funds
Funds
£
£
£		 Unrestricted Restricted
Total
Funds
Funds
£
£
£		 Unrestricted Restricted
Total
Funds
Funds
£
£
£
5000 5000
3000 3000
2900 2900
57335 57335
2000 2000
300 300
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
300 70235 70535
487 487
17.91 18
137.89 138
32.04 32
3 3
34.73 35
6.6 7
20 20
295 295
31 31
1,000.00 1000
967.26 967
231.50 232
0
3264 0 3264

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR E￿LAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusteas Charil.J ma￿,2 Norfolk SEN Network On accounts for th• yoar •nded 31 October 2025 Charity no (rf any) 1044353 Set out on pages One to three (r￿&￿ber 10 indude Ihe pgge numben of addilional sheets) I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (Ihe Trusf) for the year ended 3111012025. Responsibilities and ba818 of roport As the charity's trustees. you are responsible for th8 preparation of the aco)unts in accordance wrlh the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 {'the Act.). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust'8 accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Acl and in carying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions giv8n by the Charity Commission under section 145{5Xbl of the Act. Independent I have cornpleted my exemination. I confimi that no material matters have examlnorfs statement come to my attention in Connection with the examinalion which gives me cause to b81iev8 that In, any material respect: the accounting records were not k8Pt in accordance wlth sectlon 130 of the Charities Act- or the accounts did nol accord with the accounting records: or the accounts did nol comply with the applicable requirements nceming the fom and contenl of accounls set out in th8 Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the a¢￿unt5 give a Irue and fair, view which is not a matter ct)nsidered as part of an independent examination. I have no cOn￿M$ and have come across no other matters in connection th the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Signed: Date: 16 March 2026 Name: Maria Brydon ACA Relevant professlonal qualification{s) or body (If any): Chartéred Accountant Address: Saxon House H8118sdon Park Road Norwch. NR6 5DR IER Oct 2018

Section B Disclosure Only complete rf the examiner needs to highlight material matters of concern {s6e CC32, Independent examination of Gharity accounts: direGtions and guidance for examiners). Glve horo brief dotai18 of any items that tho examiner wishes to dl8cIoso. IER Oct 2018