RegiSte￿d number: 02976727 Charity number-. 1048236 AVALON GROUP (SOCIAL CARE) (A company limited by guarantee) TRUSTEES. REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 •#X•F)QYZN* OW1112024 COMPANIES HOUSE #77 1 AVALON GROUP ISOCIAL CARE) IA ¢ompany limited byguarantee) REFERENCE AND ADMINIStRATrVE DETAILS OF THE CHARITY. ITS TRUSTEES AND ADVISERS FOR TrIE YEAR ÉNDED 31 MARCH 2024 Trustees Stephen Fox. Chair of the Board IresigTred 15 August 2024114.6.7 Keith Nurcombe. Chasr of ihe Board {ap￿inIed IS A￿uSt 20241 Joseph Bradleyl.4. Susan Carr (resigned 22 April 202415 Susan Howard (resigned l May 20241 John Moore (resigned 6 November 20231 Kirsty Needham lappointed 18 May 202316 Stephen Perry lappointed IS August 20241 Michael Purvis lapp(Mnted 18 May 20231I3 Karen Tyre1114.8 1 Chair of Audil and Risk Committee 2 Member ofAudit ar¢d Risk Commitree Chair of Busine55 Development Committee Member of Business Develownent Committee S Chair of People Committee 6 Member of People Committee Chair OF RemuneratM)n Committee Member of Remuneration Committee Company reslsiered numbef 02976727 Charity rezistered number 1048236 Registered offKe 6 Grove Park Court Harrogate HG14DP Indepèndent èuditor BHP LLP Chartered Atcountènts Rievaulx House I St Mary's Court York Y024 IAH 50licitors Hempsons The Exchange Stalion Parade Harrogate HGI IDY 5enlor management team Emma Williams. Chief Executive Officer and Company Secretary Dan 81ackith. Direttor of People and Cvlture (until 28 June 20231 sette Robin50n, Direttor of Finance and Corporate Services Bev wil￿n. (lirettor of Operations PaEe I rwJwrtlD.. Trustees. Report for the Year ended 31 March 2024 As the incomin8 Chair of Avalon Group lknial Carel. l am delighted to present our Artnual Repjrt and Account5 lor the year ended 31 March 2024 which provide a full summary of the yearf5 attivities. This has been a year of change as A¥alon coniinue5 through its period of transformation. We wished Stephen Fox. Chair of Trustees and Board memberof 9 years. all the best in his rwirement in August 2024. His leadership and counsel has guided the charily to upholding its reputation as a h%h-quality provider of Shared knves and Cornmunity Support acros5 the Norrh East and Yorkshire durin8 that period. Durin8 the last quarterof 2023124. thecharity Wofked togetherwith thosewe supporr, families, carers and commissioneTS to design the new f*ve year plan. In todavs rawdly evofving landscape of social and economic challenges, the need for strategic foresiRht and prOacr￿e initiatives has never been mre pressing. At the heart of our strategy lies a deep undeT5tandin8 of the people and comrnunities we 5er¥e. Through e￿enSIVe research. siakeholder en8aBement afid data- drNen insights. as well as 30 years. experience of delivering support in communities, we have crafted a roadmap that is both ambitious and achievable. We launch our new five year plan at a tirnt when employee engagement ts high. $3t15faction levels of people we stjpport and families is good and leedback from regulators aTrdcommissioners is positNe. Despiteihechallengingeconotnic outlook and continued pressure on local C¢)uncils. Avalon continues io mana8e Tesource carefully achievin8 a srnall surplus for the year. A5 we reflect on the achievements of ihe pasi year. we extend a very sincere thank you to everyone at Avabn who have m&le these accomplishments possible. With a special appreciat￿￿ expressed to our talented anLI cornmitted colleagues who make a difference to so many lives every day. For more information on all topics please visit our web51te. where you will find More storie5, details of the supp)rt we can provide. and a150 how to contact your local Avalon office. Chair of Tru5tee5 Page 2 Trustees. Report for the Year ended 31 March 2024 The Trustees present their annual report together vrith the audiied linancial 51aternents ol the Avak>n Group (S￿la1 Carel (the company) forthe year ended 31 March 2024. Reterence and administrative inlotmation Set on pa8e I forrn5 Part of this rewi. The Trustees have adopte(J the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Prattl￿ ISORPI"Accounting and Reporting by Charitie5" in preparing the annual report and financbal statements of the chartty. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set oui in note5 to the accouThts and cornply wilh the charit￿$ governin8 docurnent. the Charities Att 2011 Acctwnlin8 and Re￿rtIng by Charitie5.' Statement of Recommended Prattice applicable io charities preparing their accounts in accordance wtth the Financial Reportin8 Standard applicable in the UK and Republt ol I￿land published in Ocwber 2019. This rek)on also meets the requirements of thesirategic Report for Companies Att 2006 purposes. Strate IcRe alon's Ob'ertl¥es and Art. Purposes and aims Avalon fjroup's vision is ihat ihe people we support wll achieve their best life experience. We are recognised as a high quality social care ptovider in the Plorth of England. providin8 Community Support and shared bves services to dsabled people of a working a8e. older aduks antl young people in transition. Our rni55ion is to promote incluswe, personalised support in tyjr kKal ctsmmunities. helping indNiduals and families improve their lives. This means tackling lonelines5. promoting Choice. coThirol and independent INin& and empowering people to live the lives they want to INe. In order to make thi5 vision a reality, we are committeLI to the fdlowinB value5 whKh influence our strategic priorities ané guide our day to day work.. We are kintl and respecttul to everyone We are honest arbd trustworthy We are always learnin8 and developing We are inclusive.. evLYyone has a voice We wrmk in partnership with our communiiies The charity reviews r($ aims. objettives and activrties each year to ensure it remains focused on its stated purposes. This report look5 at what the charity ha5 achieved and ihe ￿rtcOMeS of its work within the previous twelve months. The Trustees report on the successof each keyattwityand the bentfrtsth￿ have brought to thtssegroups of peoplethe charity was set up to suprM)n. The Trustees confirm that ihey have referred to the 8uidance C￿tained in the Charity Commis$￿'S general guidance on publit benefit when reviewing the charirfs aims and objectives and when plannin6 tts future attl￿tieS. Page 3 Trustees. Report for the Year ended 31 March 2024 vern nts and Durin8 the year ended 31 March 2024. the Avalon Group supwrted than 450 people wtth reaming disabilitie5, aut15m, people livin8 Wlth dementia andlor mentsl health challen8e5. commissioned by 19 Local Authorities and NHS bodies across Yorkshire and the North East of England. SeThfices included sup￿rted li¥ing services. community support and Shared Lives long term and short term break5 and day services. We supported people wilh a wide sP￿truM of needs, from mild to moderate learnin8 disabilitie5 to people wth profound and rnulriple learnin8disabilitie5, sensory and physical disabilities and complex hea￿h needs. Key successes in the year inPS. lmplernental￿Th of digital care record5 for all Community Support and Supported bviDg 5eryice5. Identify and implement Shared itves dffdital system. Identify and implemeni digital Boar¢S mana ement system. Draft and launth the 8usine5s Oeveloprnent strate8Y to 5UPPOrt The five year plan. Review of Marketing & Cornmunications to ensure most effettlve use of resource. Technoltsgylor oll- we will invest in digital solutions for the benefit of everyone. Sust#inablefviure5- we will Create support options ihat meet people's needs and we will be embedded within communitie5. Structure Governance and M•n ment Legal The Avalon Group is a charitablec(Mnpany limiied by guarantee. The cornpany was inccwporated on 7 October 1994 wth ihe name Adult Place￿￿nt Services Ltd. trading nder the narne The Avalon Group. On 12.No¥ember 2020 a special resolutlon Was passed to change the legèl entity nème Avalon Group IScKial Carel. > The cornpany was registered as a charity on 26 July 1995. In the event of the Company being wound up. each member is required to tofitribute an amount not exceeding £10. > The company was e5tabli5hed under a Mernorandum of Associatiorb dated Sepiember 2002 whith established the objetts and powers of the charitable company antl is 8overned undef its Articles of Ass￿lation. > On 12 Novernbef 2020 updated Artieles of Association were adopted by Special Res01￿10n. Page 9 Trustees. Report for the Year ended 31 March 2024 Responsibilityof eoard and CoMm￿tee$ The Trustees (who are also direcrors of Avalon for the purposes of company lawl are responsible for preparing the Trustees. Annual Report and the Financial Statements in accordance with appI￿able law and United KinBdom Accounting Standards Iunited ￿n&dOrn Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). Company law ￿quIreS the Trustees to prepare financo15tatements for each fina￿la1 year which give a true ènd fair view of the stale of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and applKatK>n of resource5. including the incorne and expenditure. of the charitable company lor that period. In preparing these financial st3tements. the Trustees are required to= Selett suiiable accounting policies and then apply them consisiently- Observe the methods and princi￿e5 in the Charities SORP- Make jud8emenis and estimates ihat are reasonable and pwdeTht,' State whether applicatrAe UK Acctsufiting Standards have been followed, subject to any rnaterial departures discI￿ed and explained in the financial siatement5." and Prepare the financial $13iements on the 80in8 concern basis unless it is inappropriate io wesume that the charitable company will continue on that ba51 TheTrustees are ￿pOnSIble for keeping properaccounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial Position of the charitable tornpany and enable them to ensuie that the linancial Statements comply with the Companies 2(￿. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence fortaking reasonable steps for ihe preveniion and deiection of fraud and ￿her irre8ularities. The Trustees are responsib￿ IOT the maintenance and integrity of the charity and financial inforrnation included on the charity's websire. Legislation in the United Kingdom governin8 ihe preparation and dissemination of rinancial statements may differfrom le8islation in othec jurisdictions. Key Manaeeffle￿ Payand Remutyeratlon Pay for senior mana8er5 is determineé by reference to market Salary rates, takin8 into account individual's experience and skills. Pay scales are se¢ for all kN)Sts within Avalon. includin8 those of senior mana8ers_ The Remuneration Committee a8feesihe payfor all Th.￿10r5 and abo any major changes to payscalesforother Staff. Employee Engagement During the last quarter of 2023124. all ￿aff teams were offered the opportunty to take part in focus groups working towards the developrnent of ihe next five year 5trate8y. Thi5 was then launched in each locality by the Director5 and the Avalink representative for that locality. Monthty staff newsletters irKlude strate8ic updates. update5 on financial perfcm)ance and kw issues relevant to them. An annual staff survey ensures all staff have the opporruniry to feed back anonymously and feedback is analysed per role and per I￿ality£ompared to the prior yearfor Irends and themes_ Employfflent of the Disabled Avalon holds and to Oisability Confident Ernp￿yer standard5. These include ensuring our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible by advertisiftg using diverse melhods and accepting applications in different formats. Avalon promotes being tommitted to offering an inteThiew to"artyone who meets the minimum Page 10 LivJWIID.. Trustees, Report for the Year ended 31 March 2024 standards of the role specification and ensures that reasonable adjustments are considered and put in place where practical and necessary for interviews. such as video confetencing or allowing additional time for practical tasks. Avaknn's blended trainin8 offer ￿ more a(c￿5•bl¢fOr peop￿WIth disabilities, using technologythrough eLearnin8 and online webinar5. line managers work closely with LeaminB & Developmeni to ensure that the particular training needs for disabled individuals are understrxjd and mel. Avalon provide5 a suite ol trainin8 to staff including a number of Mental Hea￿h sessions. Equality & t*versity and Recruitrnent. which all focu5 on providin8 SUPPOrt to disabled collea8ue5. Avalon ha5 Mental Health First Aiders to provide additional support to employees and has signed the Mindful Employer Charter. Able Futures provide confidential mental health support to employees and Avalon works Close￿ with Occupational Health and Access to Work to ensure that disabled colleagues are provided with the resources they nee(1 to do their job. Staternent of fwstees In accordance with cornpany law. we. the cornponrfs th"rettrxs. certify that as far as we are aware, there is no relevant audif inlorrnation of which the CL¥npanrfs auditor is Urtawa￿. In addr(￿. the Director5 have taken all the necessary step5 that theyou8hi to hawe laken as Direttors, in ordet to fflake themsdves aware of all relevant audit information and to establish that the companls auditor Is aware of that information. After making appropriaie enquiries. the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the tharity has adequate sources to continue in operational existerKe forihe foreseeableluture. For this reason. they continue to adopt the goin8 concern basis in preparin8 the financial statements. Further details regardingthe adoption of the going concern basis can be found in the Accountin8 PolKies. Commlttees There afe four Committees. made up of Truaees and senK>r rnanagers.. >Audltund Rislr Committee- prowdes ovetsi8ht, review and advisory rtsle to the Board on all financial affairs of Avalon. > Business De¥el?pment gftd Fuftdralslng Committee- provides oversi8ht. review and an advisory role to the Board on the Business Development sirate6y and its implemenration. Ilemunerotion Committee- provides oversight. review and an advisory role to the 8oard on the remuneration of ihe CEO and staff within Avabn. > People & Operotrons Committee- provides oversight. review and on advisory role to the Board on the People Strategy and Operation5 and th￿r progre55 a8ainst plan. Retruitment and Appolntment to the Board Under the requirements of the Memorandum and Articles of Ass¢xiation. the Trustees ère elected to serve for 3 years and ￿tIre by rotation. Retirin8 Trustees. if *Trllifi8 to continue to serve. may be re-ebeaed by members, re501utMM. SinceApril 2023 we welcorned 4 new Trustee5 whose experienceand expenise, along with their passion for adult social care. added additional sirength to our Board. Page 11 Trustees. Report for the Year ended 31 March 2024 Twstee Trainlng and Indudion The Board of Trustees regularly reviews the skillsand expertise ofthegroup. This is led by thechair in consultation with the Chief Executive Officer. The T￿rUItment prKe55 for Trustee5 alr￿5 to fill the identified voids and the key skills necessary to support the or8anisation'5 5trate8ic needs. The nurnber of Trustees is subject to a minimum of 3 mernbers with no maximum. Each prospenive trustee is interwewed initially by the Chief Executive Officer. a Customec and the Chair OF ihe Board. If successful, thev underKo a fvll induction programme including meetin8 Wtth Avalon staff. as well as being provitled with ongoing trainine and an information pack. Voluntary support The Trustees Involvement vrith AYak￿ is in a purely voluntary capacity. The Trustees pro¥￿e • ian8e of skills. inclu¢Ying bul Th)t limr(ed io.. leeal matters. newand existin8 business growth strategie5. gcrf)d governance and risk 5trate8ie5. No trustee has re£￿Ved any rernuneratiofi in the current or pre¥KJu5 year for these èttivr(ies. During the year to 31 Maich 2024 we paid Trltstees expense5 of £nil12023.. £3791. which was to cover travel and milea8e char8es. Auditor The auditor, BHP. Chartered Accountants. have inthcated theii wllingness to continue in office. The Designated Trustees w¢ll piopose a motion rtrappoiniinK ihe authitots at 3 meetiwA of the Trustee5 in 8 Ortober 2024. This report including the strateeic repm was approved bythe Trustees on 8 October 2024 and signed on their behalf by.. 7PF urcom Chalr of the Oo¥d of Twstees Page 12 AV￿oN GROUP ISOCIAL CARE) IA company Ilmbted bywaranteel INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORTTOTHE MEMBERSOF AVALON GROUP ISOCIAL CARE) We have audited ihe financial statements of Avalon Group15ocial Carel Ithe 'charitable companrfl for the year ended 31 Marth 2024. which comprise the statement of financial a￿l￿ties. Ihe balance sheer. the statement of cash flows and notes to the financial statements. including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and Uniteé Kin8dorn Accountins 5tandard5. including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial RewrtinB Standard applicable ift the UK and Republic of Ireland Iuniled King¢Jom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). In our opinion thefinancial statements= give a true and fair wew of the state of the charitable cornpanV5 affairs as at 31 March 2024, and of its incoming re5our¢es and application of resources. irtcludin8 its income and expenditure. for the yearthen ended,. have been properly prepared (n accordance wtth United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accountin8 Prattice,. and have been prepared in accordance with the requirernents ol the CompaTrie5 Act 2CKI6. 8351$ for oplnlon We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing IUKI IISA5 IUKII and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further (lescribed in the auditor responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our ￿pOrt. We are independent of the charitable company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are ￿levant io our audit of the financial statements in the UK, iNcludine the FRtrs Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical ressy)nsibilities in accordance with these reouiremenrs. We believe thar the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. Con¢lusion$ relailni io yinÉ £•n¢ern In auditin8 the financi31 statements. we have concluded that the tru51ees' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial Statements is appropriate. Based on the work we have pertormed. we have not hlentrfied any material vncertainties relaiin8 to events or conditions that. individually or collectively. may cast $18nificant (Soubt on the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern for a perlod of at least twelve months from when the financial Statements are authorised for issue. Our responsibilities and the ￿ponsIbl1r(leS of the trustees wtth respect to going toncern are described in the relevant Sections of this report. Other infomiatlon The ￿her information comprises the inforrnation included irb the trustees, reF￿rt. other than the financial siatements and our audiforfs report thereon. The trustees are ￿pOnsIble for the other information. Our opinion on the financial statements doe5 not cover ihe other information and. except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in oyr report. we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility 15 to read the other information and. in doin8 $0, consider whether the other infom7at￿ is materially intt*nsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in ihe course of the audtr or otherwise appears to be materially rnis5tated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misst*ements. we are reouired to deterrnine whether this gives rise to a material rnissratement in the financial statement5 themselves. ff. ba5eil on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is material mi55tatemerf of this other informati￿. ¥ve are required to ￿pCrt that fact. We have nothing to repcwt In this regafd. Page 13 AVALON GROUP IS