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← Infocus Charity

2025-08-31-accounts

Annual Report 2024/25

Including the Trustees’ Report and Annual Accounts for the year ending 31st August 2025

Contents

Introduction 3
Twelve Months at InFocus 4
Life and Living Skills 6
Specialists in Vision Impairment 9
Report of the Trustees 10
Objects and Activities 11
Purpose and Values 12
Activities 14
Achievements and Performance 16
Finance and Risk 20
Structure, Governance and Management 24
Reference and Administrative Details 27
Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities 28
Independent Auditors’ Report 29
Accounts and Financial Statements 33

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Introduction

Many of us grow up without thinking about how to make our own choices, build independence, or live life to the fullest. Even as adults we can take for granted our ability to make ourselves heard, explore our world, and follow our dreams.

InFocus exists to give young adults with complex needs and vision impairment those same opportunities. We’re here for teenagers and young people from across the UK whose disabilities and support needs can form huge barriers to living the sort of lives that we would all want for our own family and friends.

We work from our specialist facilities in Exeter, but we are proud that people who have been part of the InFocus community are spread across the country and beyond. Working with these young adults is a great joy, knowing that they will move on from InFocus with knowledge and skills that will be with them for their entire lives.

The last year has seen more progress across our CQC-Outstanding and OfstedGood services, with improved use of data helping us to evidence this progress to our stakeholders. We successfully recruited more staff which has reduced expenditure on agency staff, maximised the quality of support we deliver, and bucked a sectorwide trend. The charity purchased a new care home, welcomed its new residents into their transition accommodation, and planned for the naming of the home by Coldplay lead singer Chris Martin (which took place shortly after the year-

end). The new model for expanding our supported living service is awaiting the next cohort of young adults, and a new structure for enabling growth in our regulated services is in place.

The wider uncertainties in the specialist education sector have affected the growth of our college, but there are real “green shoots” with more families and professionals visiting InFocus than ever before. Our specialist facilities are by their nature expensive to maintain and develop; effective cyclical maintenance is helping us to plan for the years ahead, and carefully costed plans for our most significant development projects are in place.

There may be little sign of change in the wider political and economic environment that will affect our beneficiaries. However, at InFocus we are optimistic and ambitious for the future, and excited to continue building resilience in the face of those external challenges.

This report shares some of the achievements from the past year and looks to the exciting plans for the coming 12 months. So much of what we do is only possible thanks to the generosity of our donors, volunteers and supporters (including the WK Hutchings Charitable Trust and the Sterling Charity). Thank you for playing your part in the life of InFocus Charity during the past year, and for all you will do in the year to come.

Susan Holt Chair of the Board of Trustees Jane Dye Chief Executive Officer

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Twelve Months at InFocus

It’s been a packed and purposeful year at InFocus, filled with activities, experiences and events designed to help students and young adults develop independence, advocate for themselves, and live life to the full. Here are just some of the highlights:

September

A new College year and a new addition to the curriculum: hip hop. As well as being great fun, it supports language development, boosts confidence and encourages students to use their voices to communicate their passions.

October

We held an art exhibition celebrating the incredible creativity of InFocus College students.

November

People from Jigsaw – our adult day service - decorated the InFocus Charity Christmas Tree at Princesshay shopping centre in Exeter – every decoration handcrafted with care and imagination.

December

Ashleigh, an amazing musician at InFocus College, wowed an audience of more than 400 people at Tiverton High School with a brilliant ‘ska’ performance. And of course, we celebrated Christmas in style - with a visit from Father Christmas, festive crafts, a Twelve Days of Christmas treasure hunt, a snowy photo booth, a sensory story, and much more!

January

Student Luke visited the Houses of Parliament to raise awareness of the support needed for people with disabilities in further education and the transition to adulthood. A huge achievement - well done, Luke!

February

Jack, who lives in supported living, and Nic Smith, our Head of Vision Impairment (VI) Services appeared on BBC Radio Devon to discuss the importance of Braille and mark its 200th anniversary.

We also hosted a training day for professionals from charities, local authorities and hospitals, focusing on Cerebral Vision Impairment (CVI) and practical strategies to support people who live with it.

March

A participant on the Life and Living Skills Programme began volunteering at St Sidwell’s Community Centre and their community garden – and hasn’t looked back.

April

We opened a brand-new charity shop in Exmouth, joining our growing retail network of seven shops and a busy E-Commerce store.

May

A full month of activities, including:

June

One of our favourite events of the year - the InFocus Street Party! A brilliant celebration of our whole community: young people, adults, families, staff, volunteers, neighbours and supporters.

July

As the academic year came to a close, highlights included:

August

All summer long, residents at St David’s House enjoyed weekly sailing sessions with Exmouth Sailing Club – and even spotted dolphins along the way.

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Life and Living Skills

Life and Living Skills

This year we launched our new Life and Living Skills programme. We caught up with Kelly Jones, Head of Regulated Services, and Esme Thornton, Life and Living Skills Support Manager, to explore why the service was created, how it works, and the standout moments from its first year.

What made you launch the Life and Living Skills programme?

Kelly : InFocus is all about empowering young people and adults to live more independently. We know there are many people with vision impairment and complex needs who have clear ideas about how and where they want to live, but don’t yet have the skills to make it happen. The Life and Living Skills programme acts as a bridge - giving people the time, support and space to learn and progress at their own pace.

What sort of support can you provide?

Kelly : Pretty much anything that helps someone move towards independent living. That could be developing confidence in travelling alone, managing money, personal care, or staying somewhere without family support. It all comes down to what matters to the individual and what will enable their next step.

Esme : Our support is completely person-centred. We take time to understand someone’s goals - not just what they want to achieve now, but their aspirations for the future. From there, we set meaningful goals together. Each person has ownership over their journey, and we adapt support around them rather than expecting them to fit into a set model.

“

We take time to understand someone’s goals - not just what they want to achieve now, but their aspirations for the future.

Esme Thornton Life and Living Skills Support Manager

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How do you work with people?

Esme : We use a graded approach - short, focused bursts of support followed by time for the person to try things independently. Using something as simple as making a cup of tea as an example: we might begin with hand-over-hand guidance when pouring the kettle, and gradually step back until they’re doing it completely on their own.

Kelly : A real strength of the programme is that we’re not restricted by time limits. If the goal is to make breakfast independently, we don’t rush in. We stay with someone for as long as it takes for them to feel ready. It removes pressure and creates a positive environment for learning.

People also use the service in different ways - some attend as a day service to focus on a specific skill, while others benefit more from residential stays to build confidence in being away from home.

What have been the standout moments so far?

Esme : One that really stands out is Jago. He wanted more independence but felt anxious about travelling alone. Within six weeks, he was catching the bus into town, doing his own shopping, and meeting us for coffee afterwards. That single skill completely changes what his future can look like - and his determination has impressed everyone here.

Kelly : Everyone’s goals are personal, but each step forward is powerful. We’ve already supported two people to develop the skills they needed to move into the homes they’d been dreaming of.

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Specialists in Vision Impairment

At InFocus, we talk a lot about vision impairment, and in particular CVI - short for cerebral visual impairment. But what does this really mean?

We support anyone with vision impairment, which can vary widely - from moderate sight to total blindness. Each person’s vision is unique, and so is the support they need. InFocus Charity is a specialist in Cerebral Vision Impairment (CVI), the most common cause of vision impairment in children. With CVI, the eyes themselves are healthy, but the brain struggles to process visual information. People with CVI may also have other visual or brain-based conditions, such as difficulties with eye movements. Vision can fluctuate from day to day, or even minute to minute, depending on the environment and fatigue. Cluttered or lowcontrast surroundings can be particularly challenging.

Because everyone’s eyesight is different, support is bespoke. For one person, it might mean learning to navigate regular bus routes independently; for another, it could be learning to communicate their needs effectively using their preferred method.

Our ultimate goal is to provide just enough support so that, by the time people leave InFocus, they feel confident in their abilities and ready to take the next steps toward independence.

This year, we were proud -= Z J to speak at the 10th ICEVI European Conference in ~ Padova, Italy, which brings together educators, clinicians, and researchers from across Europe. Our presentation focused on how teenagers and young adults with CVI can enhance their functional vision through structured, multidisciplinary support. The key message: while early intervention is important, young people in their teens and early twenties can still make significant gains in functional vision when provided with the right strategies, tools, and environments.

At InFocus, we assess how each person uses their vision, and adapt environments to maximise functional vision. Visual training activities - such as online games where users search for shapes on a screen - help develop these skills in practical ways.

Report of the Trustees

for the year ending 31st August 2025

The Board of Trustees of InFocus Charity present their annual report and audited accounts for the year ended 31st August 2025 and confirm that they comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006, Charities Act 2011 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) – (Charities SORP (FRS 102).

The Trustees confirm that they have complied with the duty imposed on them by s17(5) of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit, including the guidance ‘Public benefit: running a charity (PB2)’.

InFocus Charity is a registered charity (registered number 1058937) and company limited by guarantee.

Objects and Activities

The objects of the Charity are:

The relief of persons with a vision impairment and complex needs (whether this is a physical, other sensory or cognitive impairment) by:

InFocus Charity supports the education, care, health and independence of persons with a vision impairment or other sensory impairment. Income is generated from:

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Purpose and Values

We refreshed our Purpose and the accompanying set of values were introduced as part of the Strategic Plan 2024 to 2027.

Our Purpose

Everyone deserves the opportunity to live their life to the fullest, taking every chance to make decisions and control their own futures. At InFocus, we are dedicated to making this a reality for young people across the UK with vision impairment (such as blindness or partial sight) and complex needs, who often face a multitude of barriers due to the combined impact of vision impairment, other disabilities, and additional support needs.

Our Values

People First

We put the people we support at the centre of our services. We act with kindness, respect, and a positive caring attitude. We always listen to the voice of the people we support.

Ambition

We believe in the potential of the people who use our services. We are ambitious for them and for our staff, and for our organisation.

Innovation

We act boldly, take risks, and embrace technology so we can expand and improve opportunities for people with vision impairment and complex needs, and be more effective in the way we work.

Collaboration

We have a strong multi-disciplinary approach that values teamwork. We work with others to create the best outcomes for the people we support.

Recognition

We recognise and are inspired by the achievements of the people we support. We celebrate their wow moments. We actively appreciate the contribution that our staff and volunteers make, and we look after them well.

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Activities

In 2024/25 the charity supported:

  • 32 students attending InFocus College. We have both day and residential students who enjoy a curriculum tailored to support their learning and aspirations.

  • 4 young adults taking part in the pilot year of InFocus Charity’s new Life and Living Skills Programme.

  • 15 young adults enjoying living

  • in and around Exeter in our supported living accommodation.

  • 20 people living in St David’s House residential care with access to all of the InFocus facilities. This year, we purchased a new residential care house, which is due to open in 2025/26.

  • 17 people enjoying activities at Jigsaw, InFocus Charity’s adult day services. Open 48 weeks of the year, people gather with their peers to enjoy shared activities while being supported by specialist staff who care for a wide range of complex needs.

  • 46 young people from outside the InFocus community, together with their family members, accessing our events, assessments and other opportunities throughout the year. This included partnership days with local sight loss charity Moorvision and people from the Sense charity.

How we provided that support

  • InFocus Charity worked with 36 Local Authorities and other commissioners from across the UK, as young people and adults come to InFocus to access our specialist vision impairment and complex needs services.

  • Our own nurses and other medicine-trained staff carried out 138,960 medical administrations across the year.

  • We ended the year employing 295 people in a wide variety of roles, from enablers and learning support workers to lifeguards and shop managers.

  • We have 1 therapy dog , Arlo, and 2 tortoises , Rosie and Rupert, who are part of the InFocus team.

  • 102 people volunteered for InFocus across our shops, onsite in our gardens and as trustees/advisors.

  • InFocus College students gained 92 qualification units during the year.

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Everything we do is made possible by a dedicated team of specialist staff, including:

        - Experts in Braille and tactile resources

     - Professional therapists offering speech and language

     - therapy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, music

     - therapy and psychological support

  - Rehabilitation Officers of the Visually Impaired (ROVIs)

  • Vision Impairment (VI) practitioners with specialist knowledge of VI and

  • Cerebral Vision Impairment (CVI) including Intervenors (specialist deafblind trained support staff) and Qualified Teachers of the Visually Impaired (QTVIs)

  • Nurses and healthcare assistants, working together with visiting clinicians and GP services who support vision impairment and other health needs

  • Tutors and teachers skilled in teaching students with complex needs and vision impairments, supported by a team of specially trained and qualified learning support workers and enablers, in the classroom and residential houses

  • All our staff who support the safe and effective running of the charity

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Achievements and Performance

Introduction

The charity’s new strategic plan for 2024 to 2027 was launched at the beginning of the year with five areas of focus, set out below. For each there is a record of progress during the year, and key priorities for 2025/26.

The quality and effectiveness of our provision

“Staff provide rich learning experiences to help students to improve their communication and mobility. As a result, students make their own choices, make new friends, and become more independent.” – Ofsted inspection report 2024.

During the year the level of progress and achievement against targets by students increased, with 84% of students at or above expectation. Progress against outcomes is generally on an upward trajectory, and we only expect this to improve through the year ahead. Our cohort of 32 college students achieved 92 qualification units between

them, with all but one student (who joined us during the year) receiving awards for at least one completed qualification.

We also saw incredibly positive feedback from the Devon Vision Impairment Advisory Team and commissioners from other local authorities who visited during the year.

The quality and quantity of nominations for the end of year Achievement Awards increased across the organisation. This highlights some of the incredible progress of students and young adults that goes beyond the quantitative data.

All our regulated services continue to be rated as at least Good by CQC and Ofsted. Our own self-assessment grades for College show Good in all categories, with behaviours and attitudes nearing Outstanding.

A revised College structure was fully in place by January 2025. This enabled more frequent progress review meetings, more regular supervision and an improved pattern of lesson observations. These all showed that the quality of teaching and learning continues to improve beyond Ofsted’s “Good” judgement.

“

Staff provide rich learning experiences to help students to improve their communication and mobility. As a result, students make their own choices, make new friends, and become more independent.

Ofsted inspection report 2024

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The quality of data and how we use it to deliver and evaluate services has also improved. This continues to inform betterdecision making across our services. For example, our College Assessment Framework has enabled us to track outcomes for students more accurately.

We used 48 new case studies to demonstrate progress and achievement for people using InFocus’ adult services. Due to our life-long learning approach the people in these services are still developing key life skills and becoming more independent, even though formal education has ended.

Objectives for 2025/26

The improved sources of data will be developed and united to improve how we demonstrate the impact of our work.

We will review our fee model for commissioned services to ensure that InFocus continues to be financially sustainable in the longer term, and provide value for money for our commissioners.

The growth of our services

Our Supported Living service is ready to expand into additional houses, with financial modelling and a business case explored and agreed during the year. We hope to acquire an additional property at the end of 2025/26 subject to the right cohort of prospective tenants.

Charity retail expanded in 2024/25 with the opening of a new shop in Exmouth. The retail landscape has been tougher during the last twelve months, and the continuing rise of online reselling platforms contributed to the downturn in quantity and quality of donations through our shops. Ecommerce continued to grow despite rising costs.

Objectives for 2025/26

Acquire a new supported living house, subject to property availability and resident demand, by the end August 2026.

Prepare a business case for the expansion of charity retail and ecommerce by the end of August 2026.

Complete the refurbishment of our new care home and open it by the end of August 2026.

Start September 2026 with at least 36 students in College.

During 2024/25 we purchased our new care home (part of a strategic aim to increase the number of beneficiaries and meet demand for adult residential placements). When open this will add 5 new spaces to our adult care provision. Placements have already been confirmed, with residents beginning to transition to InFocus in early 2025/26. A waiting list shows there is still demand for this type of specialist provision.

InFocus College numbers remain steady against the uncertain backdrop of the expected SEND review and local authority financial challenges. Interest from families, professionals and commissioners is still strong; increased enquiry and visit numbers reflect anecdotal evidence from conversations at events and within forums. Strengthening our network of professionals and partner schools/colleges is a part of the “Making more of our specialisms” focus (see below) but is important for the growth of all our services.

Developing our site and facilities

During the year we furthered our plans to redevelop our College Residential accommodation (part of the Foundations for Living project) and to modernise the catering provision for all the services onsite. We are actively seeking funds

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to ensure that InFocus can continue to support students with vision impairment and complex needs well into the future. The trustees have committed £500,000 from charitable reserves towards this project, which is reflected in the updated Reserves Policy.

This future vision is carefully balanced against the ongoing maintenance and improvement works to our wider estate and specialist facilities. Much of this goes unnoticed, for example adding capacity and resilience to our cross-site data cabling, replacing vehicles, upgrading drainage, and improving the energy-efficiency of our heating and lighting, all of which took place during the year.

We have also improved the use of technology within our work, with the Devon Vision Impairment Advisory Team praising the use of access technology and communication devices in their audit report. They also commended staff knowledge of and use of devices with students and young people after their visit to the College during the year.

Objectives for 2025/26

Continue to fundraise for the Foundations for Living project and ensure that we are

ready to deliver an exciting future for our College residential accommodation (ongoing through 2025-2026).

Re-evaluate the options for dealing with our ageing catering building and deliver a practical strategy for catering at InFocus by June 2026.

Develop and launch an organisation-wide technology strategy by June 2026. This will bring together plans for the improvement of connectivity and capability (hardware, software, infrastructure) and our existing approaches to Access Technology, and the use of AI.

Supporting and developing our staff and volunteers

InFocus relies on the skills, expertise and experience of people across staff and volunteer posts. They play a critical role in making sure that the people we support are inspired, challenged and empowered to live their best lives.

Recruitment of staff to vacant posts and our own bank of relief staff was very successful during the year. There has been

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a significant reduction in spend on agency staff as we have built up our own staff teams.

We reviewed our training to ensure it was manageable but ambitious. We also invested in CPD. In one example the outcome of CPD was that staff members were able to step into a Further Education (FE) tutor role.

In year we upgraded our staff benefits including extending maternity and paternity pay beyond statutory provision. We reviewed shift disturbance allowances, and enhanced a range of special leave arrangements (to support staff with bereavement, foster carer, dependence, parental and compassionate leave). The charity also introduced long service awards to recognise the commitment of staff who have been here for 5 years or more.

We have commissioned and started delivering a bespoke leadership programme to 32 current or future managers and leaders within InFocus. Both cohorts will complete in the 2025/2026 year. This recognises the importance of investing in our staff and preparing them to be future leaders either at InFocus or within the wider sector.

We have recruited 7 new trustees with 6 taking up their role within the 2024/2025 year and we appointed a new chair of trustees in May 2025. An updated Trustee Skills Audit has informed plans for trustee recruitment during the coming year.

A new HR dashboard draws together detailed people-related insights into a strategic overview that is reviewed at departmental, Executive, Sub-Committee and Board levels.

Objectives for 2025/26

expertise and experience in adult social care and specialist education) to the Board by August 2026.

Develop a volunteer strategy by March 2026.

Develop the training, recruitment and retention elements of the HR dashboard by July 2026.

Making more of our specialisms

We have delivered specialist content at events at InFocus and externally. InFocus held its own event for which was attended by 30+ professionals from a wide variety of settings. It introduced them to our specialist approaches around Cerebral Vision Impairment (CVI) and how we deliver this in a classroom setting, especially when supporting students with a range of other complex needs. We also gave keynote presentations at 2 other events.

Working with other partners reaches more families and provides even more opportunities and experiences for the people we already support. Projects and events with others including Moorvision and SENSE increased our beneficiary numbers to 109. The ongoing partnership with Eat That Frog helped secure another residential learning experience in Gran Canaria for a group of our College students, and a further experience for 2025/26.

Objectives for 2025/26

Contribute to at least 7 knowledge sharing and training programmes by August 2026

Set a long-term strategy for our outwardfacing work by July 2026.

Recruit three additional trustees (with

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Finance and Risk

Income and Expenditure

Introduction

The end of year financial statements show a consolidated income for the year of £10,601,284 with expenditure totalling £10,720,870.

The end of year consolidated accounts including net realised and unrealised gains/losses from investments and the revaluation of the investment properties reported a deficit of £131,776.

Key areas for consideration are:

Staffing

The combined increase in the cost of Employer National Insurance Contributions (Employer NICS) and another rise in the National Living Wage (NLW) created a considerable impact on staffing costs across InFocus. The NLW increase in April 2025 (by around 6.7%) directly affected many roles immediately above that point on the InFocus Payscale. There was a wider knock-on effect across many of our posts to preserve salary gaps for key roles and professions which. This required a review of all salaries.

2024/25 was the most successful year for new staff recruitment for some time. During the year we recruited 98 new staff, including 23 Relief staff who joined our own bank. This meant that even more shifts were filled by InFocus staff (either Relief or working overtime) compared to agency staff which helped to reduce costs. As a result we spent less on contract and agency staff compared to 2023/24 (total saving of just over £0.5 million).

We also recognised the knowledge and expertise that our existing staff bring to the charity by introducing Long Service awards. During the year we presented long service awards to 66 staff with 10 or more years of service (including 3 colleagues 20

who have worked for us for 30 years or more).

We also introduced enhanced pay allowances for paternity and maternity leave, and shift disturbance allowances for antisocial hours.

Fees

Statutory fee income still makes up most of the charity’s income. Many of our commissioning local authorities were unable to meet our fee increase request in full for existing placements for young people. Fee increases were requested to cover increased costs including staffing.

This effectively means that other income generation is essential in enabling the charity to deliver its activities.

Total fee income (including Landlord Supported Living) for 2024/25 was £8,075,496 (£7,634,961 in 2023/24)

Charity Retail

During the year we opened one new shop and increased sales from Ecommerce.

The rising cost of wages, utilities and postage (for ecommerce) challenged the profitability of our retail portfolio in 2024/25. Unusually high staff absence also meant unexpected operational challenges and an increase in paid overtime.

Overall gross income was £742,940 against a budget of £811,900 (including Gift Aid).

Leased properties

The investment properties were re-valued during the year. The re-valuation resulted in an unrealised recognised loss of £32,500. This reflects the reduced demand for commercial office space in the city (although both properties are currently let to tenants).

Fundraising

Fundraising income was positively impacted by legacy gifts. The other activity for the year was fundraising from

trusts and foundations, community and corporate engagement, and challenge events. Changes in fundraising staffing meant that there were periods of the year where one or both of the posts were vacant.

Unrestricted fundraising (excluding legacies) realised an income of £54,885 against a budget of £80,000.

InFocus Enterprises Ltd

There was a modest increase in venue hire and café sales income. Costs of sales also increased, in part due to rising food and equipment costs. Other expenditure including staff-related costs also increased during the year.

At the end of the year the recorded income was £433,485 with expenditure of £328,319, giving an end of year surplus of £105,166. The Board of InFocus Enterprises plan to Gift Aid this surplus to InFocus Charity.

Reserves and financial health

The Board of Trustees received monthly management accounts and key performance indicators to ensure they have oversight of the charity’s accounts. This included income & expenditure against the agreed budget, current and predicted cash flow and analysis of debtors and creditors. To ensure the budget is maintained as much as possible there are two budget reforecasts in year which allow the Executive team to make the required updates and/ or recommendations to the Board. Due to the nature of our service provision and sector it is not uncommon for unexpected changes to significantly impact the budget forecast.

Any restricted funds held are reviewed regularly by the Executive team to ensure the funds are used in line with the applied restriction and in ways that will support our young people.

The trustees review the Reserves Policy each year to ensure it continue to meets the needs of the charity. When reviewing the Reserves Policy and free reserves, the trustees take into consideration the increasing running costs of the organisation and the impact this has on the operating reserve level. During this year’s review

the designated funds were updated to recognise the priority of the capital appeal and to remove the designated fund for delayed payment.

The updated Reserves Policy states the charity should hold total unrestricted reserves of:

  • 3 months Operating Reserves (free reserves)

  • designated funds which recognise the priority of the residential capital appeal and potential loss of income through loss of contracts for service users (see note 21).

As of 31st August 2025 the total unrestricted reserves required were £3,366,445. After allocating the designated funds and any adjustment for expenditure against the residential appeal the end of year Operating Reserves (free reserves) were £1,454,172 (equivalent to just over 1.6 months, see Note 22).

The trustees are mindful that the current reserves do not meet the charity’s Reserves Policy and achieving the agreed free reserves remains a priority.

The trustees continue to be mindful of the ongoing impact the increased cost of living and rising energy prices. They continue to challenge the Executive team to increase income and reduce expenditure. The trustees agree a rolling three-year budget and will continue to monitor in year performance. Increasing numbers in the College still remains a financial priority.

The Board monitors financial resilience and currently maintain a reasonable level of reserves. Taking the information available into consideration the trustees are satisfied that there are no material uncertainties around the ability of InFocus Charity and InFocus Enterprises to continue as a going concern for at least the next 12 months.

Investments

Ever-rising costs mean that it is important that cash flow continues to be monitored closely. This is reported regularly to the Board via the monthly management accounts and given additional scrutiny by the Business Affairs Advisory Committee.

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Sarasin and Partners remain our Investment Managers for the charity’s long-term investments. The performance of long-term investments was turbulent over the year due to the wider economic situation. At the end of the year the net unrealised gain was £20,310. The longterm investments held by the charity are included when calculating free reserves.

Pension obligations

Staff are ordinarily enrolled in one of three principal pension arrangements as employees of InFocus Charity. The InFocus Pension schemes are with Aviva (previously Friends Life, now closed to new entrants), NEST and the Teachers’ Pension.

As of 31st August 2025 there were 7 staff in the Teachers’ Pension, 19 in Aviva, 237 are in NEST pension scheme and one employee has individual pension arrangements. All details of the commitments under the pension schemes are contained within note 27 of the financial statements.

Principal risks and uncertainties

Introduction

The Board of Trustees is responsible for the oversight of risks faced by InFocus.

Detailed analysis of the risks and more frequent review of the Risk Register is delegated to the Executive team. Risks are identified and assessed, with controls established to mitigate the risk.

The Risk Register is reviewed by all three sub committees at each of their meetings. Any recommendations are then considered by all trustees as part of a further review at each Board meeting. During the year the trustees also undertook a full review of the Risk Register to ensure it was aligned to the 2024 to 2027 Strategic Plan.

The principal risks that the Board of Trustees identified during 2024/25 were:

Student numbers in College

There is uncertainty in the specialist further education sector due to the ongoing 22

pressures on local authority budgets, and the details of SEND Reform expected in Spring 2026.

However, InFocus College offers a high quality and outcome-focused education for some of the most complex students in the UK. We are continuing to find even more improvements in evidencing the quality of teaching and learning, and showing evidence of our impact.

Marketing activity related to InFocus College continues to be coordinated by a working group that brings together colleagues from marketing, college admissions and reviews, and the Executive. There are still increasing numbers of visits and assessments at the College, and better data that tracks the pipeline of potential students from enquiry to placement. The Trustees monitor this pipeline closely at the Education Advisory Committee, and consider the financial implication at the Business Affairs Advisory Committee (as part of three-year budget forecasts).

Staffing

Recruitment on new staff has improved significantly during the year. The spend of agency staff has reduced as more shifts are now being filled by InFocus’ own staff.

The charity still faces the expected increase in the National Living Wage; this is just one of our areas of increased expenditure that is not covered in full by fee uplift requests.

The work on the InFocus Payscale during the year means that we have further improved our financial modelling for wage increases when setting the annual budget. The Trustees will make a final decision on any wider staff salary uplift once the increase in National Living Wage is announced later in the year.

Risk of cyber-attack

There is an ongoing risk of cyber-attack. InFocus continues to mitigate this risk by:

  • actively keeping abreast of current trends and threats

  • maintaining IASME Cyber Essentials

  • requiring all staff to undertake annual cyber security training

  • reviewing our Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity plans on a regular basis

  • holding cyber insurance

  • protecting our infrastructure with relevant antimalware protection

  • engaging a third party to carry out penetration testing

  • effectively training staff that manage the ICT infrastructure and securities

Our site and buildings

Cyclical maintenance planning has improved the condition of the site. The cost of other planned and unplanned works, and the rising cost of utilities, continues to challenge our finances.

Where possible we are upskilling our in-house team to complete works. Programmes of works are planned and budgeted for in advance where possible. Tendering and procurement processes focus on using local contractors who can give the best value for money.

An energy efficiency programme has seen a reduction in usage, particularly across electricity and water.

The Trustees now have a clear development plan for the College Residential accommodation and fullycosted options for any replacement of the catering building.

Governance

The Trustee Board skills audit functions works well to inform future trustee recruitment. There are robust strategies in place for recruiting new trustees, and evidence of a high calibre of candidates willing to serve the Board.

The current trustees bring considerable experience and expertise to the charity. A large number of trustees were appointed during the year. This period of renewal always gives an opportunity to bring in different views, knowledge and approaches to scrutiny.

The Trustees plan to review the Trustee Skills Audit during the year to ensure that future recruitment is prioritised accordingly.

23

Structure, Governance and

Management

Board of Trustees

At the end of August 2025 InFocus Charity had nine trustees. The Board of Trustees was chaired by Susan Holt.

Two trustees resigned during the year. We appointed six trustees to join the board during 2024/25 and recruited one further trustee who was appointed in September 2025. Trustees are recruited according to gaps in knowledge and expertise that are identified through regular skills audits. The most recent skills audit has identified that we still require trustees with a strong knowledge of adult care, SEND and fundraising.

During the year the board formally approved to extend the term of office of Derek Fargher, Chair of the Business Affairs Committee and lead trustee for finance. This was decision was taken to allow time to recruit and onboard a trustee with suitable finance experience. These two roles will be taken on by James Gaisford, trustee, from December 2025.

InFocus uses a range of traditional and digital platforms to recruit trustees, including LinkedIn, voluntary sector job boards, and appropriate networking opportunities. New trustees take part in a comprehensive induction programme to get to know the organisation and the young people it supports. They also undertake appropriate mandatory training (including safeguarding).

The Board has three sub-committees which each met three times during the year. On each committee there are nominated trustees, and each committee is chaired by a Trustee. The committees are:

  • Adult Services Advisory Committee

  • Education Advisory Committee

  • Business Affairs Advisory Committee

During 2024/25 the trustees held four board meetings, three sub-committee meetings for each advisory committee and one Annual General Meeting.

InFocus Charity Trustees as at 31 August 2025 were:

Susan Holt (Chair), Ian Donohue, Derek Fargher, Chris Harvey (resigned October 2025), Lisa Maunder, Alika Gupta (Appointed February 2025), Steve Bailey (appointed May 2025), James Gaisford (appointed May 2025), Clare Doble (appointed May 2025)

All trustees give of their time freely and no remuneration was paid in the year.

Legal Structure

InFocus Charity is a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales with company number 06928379 and charity number 1058937.

Executive Team

The Board of Trustees delegates the operational management of InFocus Charity to its Chief Executive who works with an Executive team, as of the 31st August 2025 these were:

  • Jane Dye, CEO

  • Jane Nutt, Director of Operations, Company Secretary and Data Protection Officer

  • Marc Phillips, Director of Care and Support Services

  • Laurence Blyth, Director of Income Generation and Business Development

  • Jason Ryder, Principal of InFocus College (resigned 31[st] August 2025).

  • Catherine Scott Baker appointed Principal as of 1[st] September 2025.

24

Staffing

On 31st August 2025 InFocus Charity was employing 295 staff (including 32 bank staff) (200 FTE, including Bank Staff).

No bonus payments are paid to InFocus employees, and we do not operate a performance related pay system. A referral incentive scheme was in place during the year which rewarded staff for introducing a colleague who ended up working and staying at InFocus.

Our principles are to pay our staff a fair salary that is competitive with the charity sector, proportionate to the complexity of each role and responsibility and in line with our charitable objectives.

Volunteering

Volunteers are very important to the charity’s work.

From running our charity shops and maintaining our gardens to supporting our services, their dedication makes a real difference every day. Our voluntary trustees and advisory committee members also play a vital role, offering essential governance, oversight, and strategic support.

Throughout the year, we were fortunate to welcome visiting groups—including teams from Thomson Reuters, Coastal Recycling, and the University of Exeter— who generously gave their time to help with one-off horticultural projects at our main site in Exeter.

Our retail stores are especially popular with volunteers who have additional needs. This includes former students of InFocus College, adults with vision impairment, and other users of our services. Thanks to innovations like our “talking till,” we’re able to offer accessible and meaningful volunteering opportunities.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

InFocus is committed to working towards

its vision of a world where people who are blind and partially sighted enjoy the same rights, responsibilities, opportunities, and quality of life as people who are sighted. We also recognise that people are different and have different needs and experiences.

At InFocus, our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) is deeply rooted in our core values:

  • People First We place the individuals we support at the heart of everything we do. Our inclusive approach ensures that every person—regardless of background, ability, or identity—is treated with kindness, respect, and dignity. We actively listen to their voices and shape our services around their needs and aspirations. Our inclusive ethos ensures that everyone feels seen, heard, and valued. As part of this commitment InFocus renewed its status as a Disability Confident Leader during the year.

  • Ambition

  • We believe in the potential of every person. Our EDI work reflects this belief by challenging barriers and advocating for opportunities that empower individuals with vision impairment and complex needs to thrive. We are equally ambitious for our staff and volunteers, fostering a culture where everyone can grow and succeed.

  • Innovation

Inclusion drives innovation. We embrace technology and creative solutions across the organisation, for example by using communication devices in our college so that all students can participate in learning.

  • Collaboration

We work in partnership with individuals, families, professionals, and organisations to co-create inclusive environments and events.

25

Our multi-disciplinary approach values diverse perspectives and promotes shared learning to achieve the best outcomes for those we support.

  • Recognition We celebrate the achievements of our young people, staff, and volunteers. By recognising and valuing contributions from all backgrounds, we foster a culture of appreciation and belonging.

Fundraising

Fundraising was overseen by the Head of Fundraising. Main fundraising activities were applications to charitable trusts and foundations, sponsored challenge events, and approaches to individuals. Legacies were also received within the year.

(also Trustee, InFocus Charity, until May 2025)

  • Laurence Blyth - Company Director (also Director of Income Generation and Business Development, InFocus Charity)

  • Jane Nutt – Company Secretary (also Director of Operations and Company Secretary for InFocus Charity)

This Trustee report is therefore a consolidated Directors’ report relating to InFocus Charity and its subsidiary InFocus Enterprises. However, the greatest emphasis for this report is the activities of InFocus Charity as a charitable organisation.

No fundraising was carried out by commercial participators.

InFocus Charity is registered with the Fundraising Regulator and subscribes to the Code of Fundraising Practice. It sets the standards that apply to fundraising carried out by all charitable institutions and third-party fundraisers in the UK. This includes practice on accepting donations from vulnerable people (including those who may not have the capacity to make an informed decision) and the creation of proper fundraising materials that do not mislead (or are likely to mislead) members of the public.

No complaints about fundraising activity were received during the year.

Trading company

InFocus Charity has a wholly owned subsidiary. All trading that is not aligned with our core objectives is carried out by InFocus Enterprises Limited.

As of the 31 August 2025 the InFocus Enterprises Board consisted of:

  • Derek Fargher – Company Director (also Trustee, InFocus Charity)

  • Angus McNicol – Company Director

26

Reference and

Administrative Details

Registered charity name: InFocus Charity

Charity registration number: 1058937 Company registration number: 06938379

Registered office: Topsham Road, Countess Wear, EXETER, EX2 6HA

Trustees:

  • Susan Holt (Chair from May 2025)

  • Pamela Marsden (Chair, resigned May 2025)

  • Steve Bailey (appointed May 2025)

  • Andrew Daniel (resigned July 2025)

  • Clare Doble (appointed May 2025)

  • Ian Donohue MBE

  • Derek Fargher

  • James Gaisford (appointed May 2025)

  • Alika Gupta (appointed February 2025)

  • Rob Hart (appointed September 2025)

  • Chris Harvey (appointed September 2024, resigned October 2025)

  • Lisa Maunder (appointed September 2024)

  • Angus McNicol (resigned May 2025)

Sub-committee advisory members:

  • Briony Barrow

  • Justin Wylie (appointed May 2025)

  • Angus McNicol (appointed May 2025)

Support Services

  • Laurence Blyth, Director of Income Generation and Business Development

  • Jason Ryder, Principal of InFocus College (until 31 August 2025)

  • Catherine, Principal of InFocus College (from 1 September 2025)

Auditors: PKF Francis Clark, Centenary House, Peninsula Park, Rydon Lane, EXETER, EX2 7XE

Legal advisors:

  • Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP, Ballard House, West Hoe Road, PLYMOUTH, PL1 3AE

  • Tozers LLP, Broadwalk House, Southernhay West, EXETER, EX1 1UA

  • CWC Solicitors, 87-89 Mutley Plain, PLYMOUTH, PL4 6JJ

Investment Managers: Sarasin and

Partners, Juxon House, 100 St Paul’s Churchyard, LONDON, EC4M 8BU

Banking:

  • National Westminster, 59 High Street, EXETER, EX4 3DP

  • CAF Bank, 5 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, WEST MALLING, ME19 4JQ

Insurance: Howden, Bank House, Burlington Road, Redland, BRISTOL, BS6 6TJ

Chief Executive Officer: Jane Dye

Executive Team:

  • Jane Nutt, Director of Operations, Company Secretary and Data Protection Officer

  • Marc Phillips, Director of Care and

27

Statement of Trustees’

Responsibilities

The Charity Trustees (who are also Directors of InFocus Charity for the purposes of Company Law) are responsible for preparing a Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Company law requires the Charity Trustees to prepare Financial Statements for each year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Charitable Company and the Group and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the Income and Expenditure, of the charitable group for that period. 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 Charitable Company will continue in operation

The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper 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. The Trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charity and the Group and hence taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

In so far as the Trustees are aware at the time of approving our Trustees’ Annual Report:

  • There is no relevant audit information, being information needed by the auditor in connection with preparing their report, of which the charity’s auditor is unaware; and

  • The Trustees, having made enquiries of fellow Directors and the group’s auditor that they ought to have individually made, have each taken all steps that they are obliged to take as a director in order to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the auditor is aware of that information.

The Trustees approve the Trustees’ Annual Report, including approval in their capacity as company directors of the Strategic Report contained within it, on 9 December 2025.

Susan Holt

Susan Holt, Chair

28

Independent Auditors’ Report

to the Members of InFocus Charity for the year ended 31 August 2025

Opinion

We have audited the Financial Statements of InFocus Charity (the “Charity”) for the year ended 31 August 2025 which comprise the Group Statement of Financial Activities, Group and Parent Company Balance Sheets, Statement of Consolidated Cash flows 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 (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice), including Financial Reporting Standard 102: The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland.

In our opinion, the financial statements:

  • Give a true and fair view of the state of the group’s and charity’s affairs as at 31 August 2025 and of its income and expenditure for the year then ended

  • Have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (GAAP)

  • 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’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the Charity 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 trustees’ 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 Charity’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 trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

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Other information

The trustees 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.

Opinions on other matters 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 Trustees’ report, (which includes the Strategic Report and Directors’ report prepared for the purposes of company law) for the Financial Year for which the Financial Statements are prepared is consistent with the Financial Statements; and

  • The Strategic Report and Directors’ Report included within the Trustees’ report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the Charity and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Trustees’ report.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which 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 trustees’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or

  • We have not obtained all the information and explanations necessary for the purposes of our audit.

Responsibilities of the Trustees

As explained more fully in the Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities set out on page 17, the Trustees (who are also the Directors of the Charity for the purposes of Company Law) 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 they determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

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In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the Charity’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 trustees either intend to liquidate the Charity or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Our 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. Mis-statements 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.

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:

As part of our audit planning, we obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory framework that is applicable to the Charity. We gained an understanding of the Charity and the industry in which the Charity operates as part of this assessment to identify the key laws and regulations affecting the Charity. As part of this, we reviewed the Charity’s website for indication of any regulations and certification in place and discussed these with the relevant individuals responsible for compliance. The key regulations we identified were Charity Legislation, Ofsted, compliance with the Care Quality Commission (“CQC”), safeguarding, health and safety regulations and The General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”). We also considered those laws and regulations that have a direct impact on the preparation of the financial statements such as the Companies Act 2006.

We discussed with management and trustees how the compliance with these laws and regulations in monitored and discussed policies and procedures in place. We also identified the individuals who have responsibility for ensuring that the Charity complies with laws and regulations and deals with reporting any issues if they arise. As part of our planning procedures, we assessed the risk of any non-compliance with laws and regulations on the Charity’s ability to continue trading and the risk of material misstatement to the accounts.

Based on this understanding we designed our audit procedures to identify noncompliance with such laws and regulations. Our procedures involved the following:

  • Enquiries of management regarding their knowledge of any non-compliance with laws and regulations that could affect the financial statements. As part of these enquiries we also discussed with management whether there have been any known instances, allegations or suspicions of fraud, of which there were none.

  • Reviewed filings with the Charity Commission and whether there were any serious

  • incident reports made during the year.

  • Reviewed audit documentation from the CQC to confirm compliance with standards, and ensuring continued registration with the CQC through the CQC website.

  • Discussed with the Health and Safety Officer if any incidents have been reported during the year under The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (“RIDDOR”).

31

  • Review of the group’s GDPR policy and enquiries to the Data Protection Officer as to the occurrence and outcome of any reportable breaches.

  • Reviewed legal and professional costs to identify any possible non-compliance or legal costs in respect of non-compliance.

  • Reviewed Board minutes.

As part of our enquiries we discussed with management whether there have been any known instances, allegations or suspicions of fraud, of which there were none. We evaluated the risk of fraud through management override. The key risks we identified were management bias in accounting judgements and estimates. We also evaluated the risk of fraud through misapplication of grant funding.

In response to the identified risk, as part of our audit work we:

  • Audited the risk of management override of controls, including through testing journal entries and other adjustments or appropriateness, and evaluating the business rationale of significant transactions outside the normal course of business of which there were none.

  • Reviewed estimates and judgements made in the accounts for any indication of bias and challenged assumptions used by management in making the estimates.

Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements. 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 omissions, collusion, forgery, misrepresentations, or the override of internal controls. We are also less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations that are not closely related to events and transactions reflected in the financial statements.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities.

This description forms part of our auditor’s report.

Use of our Report

This report is made solely to the Charity’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 Charity’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 Charity’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Sharon Austin (Senior Statutory Auditor)

For and on behalf of

PKF FRANCIS CLARK, Chartered Accountants & Statutory Auditor

Centenary House,

Peninsula Park Rydon Lane, Exeter, EX2 7XE

Date: 18th December 2025

Accounts and Financial

Statements

Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities (including Income and Expenditure Account)

31 August 2025

31 August 2025
Unrestricted Restricted 2025 2024
funds funds Total funds Total funds
Note £ £
£		 £
Income and endowments
Donations and legacies 4 503,922 12,500 516,422
307,018
Charitable activities 5 9,390,630 40,019 9,430,649
8,843,323
Other trading activities 6 433,485 - 433,485
423,516
Investment income 7 62,384 - 62,384
65,144
Other income 8 153,782 4,562 158,344
146,381
─────── ─────── ─────── ───────
Total income 10,544,203 57,081 10,601,284
9,785,382
═══════ ═══════ ═══════ ═══════
Expenditure
Expenditure on raising funds 9 282,077 - 282,077 311,212
Expenditure on charitable activities 10 10,269,623 169,170 10,438,793 9,793,227
─────── ─────── ─────── ───────
Total expenditure 10,551,700 169,170 10,720,870 10,104,439
═══════ ═══════ ═══════ ═══════
Net unrealised gain / (loss) on
revaluation of fxed assets		 12 (32,500) - (32,500) (55,000)
Net realised and unrealised gains /
(losses) on investments 12 20,310 - 20,310 127,679
Transfers between funds - - - -
─────── ─────── ─────── ───────
Net income/(expenditure) and net
movement in funds (19,687) (112,089)
(131,776)
(246,378)
═══════ ═══════ ═══════ ═══════
Reconciliation of funds
─────── ─────── ─────── ───────
Total funds brought forward (2024) 7,955,416 1,254,780 9,210,196 9,456,574
─────── ─────── **─────── ** ───────
Total funds carried forward 7,935,729 1,142,691 9,078,420 9,210,196
═══════ ═══════ ═══════ ═══════

33

Balance Sheet

Year ended 31 August 2025

Balance Sheet
Year ended 31 August 2025
2025 2025
2024		 2024
Group Charity
Group		 Charity
£ £
£		 £
Fixed assets
Tangible fxed assets 16 6,849,283 6,849,283 6,259,618 6,259,618
Investments 17a 1,352,907 1,353,007 1,332,597 1,332,697
Investment properties 18 427,500 427,500 460,000 460,000
────── ────── ────── ──────
8,629,690 8,629,790 8,052,215 8,052,315
Current assets
Debtors 19 773,204 720,524 815,575 745,347
Investments 17b 9,380 9,380 9,280 9,280
Cash at bank and in hand 25 1,095,681 1,024,891 1,234,529 1,171,787
───── ────── ───── ──────
1,878,265 1,754,795 2,059,384 1,926,414
Creditors: amounts falling due
within one year 20a (904,535) (886,365) (901,403) (885,235)
────── ────── ────── ──────
Net current assets 973,730 868,430 1,157,981 1,041,179
────── ───── ────── ──────
Total assets current liabilities
Total assets less current liabilities 9,603,420 9,498,220 9,210,196 9,093,494
────── ────── ────── ──────
Creditors: amounts falling due 20b
greater than one year **(525,000) ** (525,000) - -
Net assets 9,078,420 8,973,220 9,210,196 9,093,494
══════ ══════ ══════ ══════
Funds of the charity
Restricted funds 1,142,691 1,142,691 1,254,780 1,254,780
Unrestricted funds 7,935,729 7,830,529 7,955,416 7,838,714
────── ────── ────── ──────
Total charity funds 21 9,078,420 8,973,220 9,210,196 9,093,494
══════ ══════ ══════ ══════

As permitted by s.408 Companies Act 2006 the company has not presented its own profit and loss account. The loss in the parent charity’s accounts is £120,275 (2024: £240,996).

authorised for issue on 9[th] December 2025, and are signed on behalf of the board by: Susan Holt

………………………………………………………………………..

Susan Holt, Trustee

Company registered number: 06938379

34

Year ended 31 August 2025

Statement of cash fows
Year ended 31 August 2025
2025 2024
£ £
Cash fows from operating activities:
Net cash provided by / (used in) operating activities 311,892 (60,368)
────── ──────
Cash fows from investing activities:
Purchase of property, plant and equipment (1,038,124) (444,351)
Investment additions - -
Investment income 62,384 65,144
Proceeds on disposal of investments - -
──────
──────
Net cash used in investing activities (975,740) (379,207)
Cash fows from fnancing activities:
Proceeds of mortgage loan 525,000 -
────── ──────
Net cash used in financing activities 525,000 -
Change in cash and cash equivalents in the reporting period (138,848) (439,575)
────── ──────
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the reporting
period		 1,234,529 1,674,104
─────── ──────
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the reporting 25 1,095,681 1,234,529
period
══════ ══════
Net income / (expenditure) for the period (131,776) (246,378)
Depreciation 448,459 417,115
(Gain)/loss on investments
(Gain)/loss on disposal of fxed assets		 (20,310)
-		 (127,679)
-
(Gain)/loss on investment property 32,500 55,000
Investment income and bank interest (62,384) (65,144)
(Increase) / decrease on debtors 42,371 155,884
(Increase) / decrease on current asset investments (100) 103
(Decrease) / increase on creditors 3,132 (249,269)
────── ──────
Net cash provided by operating activities 311,892 (60,368)

35

Notes to the Financial Statements year ended 31 August 2025

1. General information

The charity is a private company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. The address of the registered office is Topsham Road, Countess Wear, Exeter, Devon, EX2 6HA. The charitable entity is a public benefit entity.

2. Accounting policies

(a) Statement of compliance

Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland', the 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) (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Companies Act 2006 and the Charities Act 2011. There were no material departures from FRS 102 or the Charities SORP (FRS 102).

(b) Basis of preparation

to the extent that certain assets are carried at fair value as explained below.

of the entity.

(c) Basis of consolidation

company and its subsidiary undertaking drawn up to 31 August 2025.

A subsidiary is an entity controlled by the company. Control is achieved where the company has the power to govern the financial and operating policies of an entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities.

No separate SOFA has been presented for the Charity alone as permitted by S.408 of the Companies Act 2006.

(d) Going concern

In making their assessment of going concern the Trustees have considered cashflow forecasts for the next 12 months and beyond. They are satisfied that there are no material uncertainties about the group's ability to continue. Further details on this assessment are in the Trustees’ Report.

(e) Judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty

judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported. These

36

estimates and judgements are continually reviewed and are based on experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.

process of applying the Group’s accounting policies and that have the most significant effect on the amounts recognised in the financial statements.

Property classifcation

Buildings on the charity’s site have been leased to a third party.

In determining the fair value for the investment properties the trustees have taken into account the existence of potentially significant contractual restrictions on the charity’s entitlement to benefit from the full value of any sale proceeds. They estimate the restriction would limit the charity’s entitlement to some 50% of any proceeds and so have restricted the estimated full open market value of £855,000 to £427,500.

(f) Fund accounting

general funds and the cumulative realised and unrealised gains on revaluations of investments. They are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of general charitable objectives.

a particular area or purpose. Expenditure is charged in the statement of financial activities subject to the conditions imposed by the donors.

purposes imposed by funders. Depreciation is charged against the fixed asset fund over the life of the asset.

(g) Income

entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. The following specific policies are applied to particular categories of income:

Donations

receivable.

Grants

performance by the charity, are recognised when the charity becomes unconditionally entitled to the grant. Where grants are potentially repayable at the period end, the amount received but unspent has been deferred.

37

estimates and judgements are continually reviewed and are based on experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.

process of applying the Group’s accounting policies and that have the most significant effect on the amounts recognised in the financial statements.

Property classifcation

Buildings on the charity’s site have been leased to a third party.

In determining the fair value for the investment properties the trustees have taken into account the existence of potentially significant contractual restrictions on the charity’s entitlement to benefit from the full value of any sale proceeds. They estimate the restriction would limit the charity’s entitlement to some 50% of any proceeds and so have restricted the estimated full open market value of £855,000 to £427,500.

(f) Fund accounting

general funds and the cumulative realised and unrealised gains on revaluations of investments. They are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of general charitable objectives.

a particular area or purpose. Expenditure is charged in the statement of financial activities subject to the conditions imposed by the donors.

purposes imposed by funders. Depreciation is charged against the fixed asset fund over the life of the asset.

(g) Income

entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. The following specific policies are applied to particular categories of income:

Donations

receivable.

Grants

performance by the charity, are recognised when the charity becomes unconditionally entitled to the grant. Where grants are potentially repayable at the period end, the amount received but unspent has been deferred.

38

Legacies

Legacies are included when the charity is advised by the personal representative of an estate that payment will be made or property transferred and the amount involved can be quantified.

Donated services

Donated services and facilities are included at the value to the charity where this can be quantified. The value of services provided by volunteers has not been included.

Charitable activities

Fee income and supported living are recognised in the period to which the income relates.

Fees

Most fee income is from Local Authorities for the provision of education, college residential, adult residential care and adult day services, and is recognised on a straight-line basis over the academic year. There is a also a small amount of private fee income for the above services. Fees received in advance of the academic year are classified as deferred income

Trading income

Trading income comprises amounts receivable in respect of sales from the café, together with the hire of rooms, the Bradbury Water Therapy Centre and hydrotherapy pool. Café sales are recognised when the sale is made which is also the point of cash receipt. Facilities hire income is recognised when used and income is deferred where cash is received in advance.

Property rental income is recognised straight line over the period of the lease. Income from investments is included in the year in which it is receivable.

(h) Expenditure

Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis as a liability is incurred. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be fully recovered and is reported as part of the expense category to which it relates.

Costs of raising funds comprise the costs associated with attracting voluntary income and the costs of trading for fundraising purposes.

Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.

Governance costs comprise all costs incurred in running the charity itself as an organisation, and its compliance with regulation and good practice.

39

the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest for a similar debt instrument. Current assets and current liabilities are subsequently measured at the cash or other consideration expected to be paid or received and not discounted. Debt instruments are subsequently measured at amortised cost.

Financial assets that are measured at cost or amortised cost are reviewed for evidence of impairment at the end of each reporting date. If there is evidence of impairment, an impairment loss is recognised in the statement of financial activities.

(o)

The Charity’s employees belong to three principal pension schemes: the Teachers’ Pension Scheme England and Wales (TPS) for academic and related staff; the InFocus Charity pension scheme with Friends Life which is closed to new entrants and a NEST Pension Scheme.

The TPS is an unfunded scheme and contributions are calculated so as to spread the cost of pensions over employees’ working lives with the Charity in such a way that the pension cost is a substantially level percentage of current and future pensionable payroll. The contributions are determined by the Government Actuary on the basis of quinquennial valuations using a prospective benefit method. As stated in the notes to the financial statements, the TPS is a multiemployer scheme and the Charity is unable to identify its share of the underlying assets and liabilities of the scheme on a consistent and reasonable basis. The TPS is therefore treated as a defined contribution scheme and the contributions recognised as they are paid each year.

contribution schemes and the contributions are recognised as they are paid each year.

3. Limited by guarantee

The Charity is a company limited by guarantee and has no share capital. The liability of each member in the event of winding up is limited to £10.

40

4. Donations and legacies

Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds Total Funds
Funds Funds 2025 2024
£ £
£
£
Fundraising and donations 54,885 12,500
67,385
81,786
Legacies 449,037 -
449,037
225,232
────── ────── ────── ──────
503,922 12,500
516,422		 307,018
══════ ══════ ══════ ══════

Included in the 2025 total of £516,422 (2024: £307,718) is unrestricted income of £503,922 (2024: £285,817) and restricted income of £12,500 (2024: £21,201).

5. Charitable activities

Charitable activities
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds Total Funds
Funds Funds 2025 2024
£ £
£
£
Educational grants 572,193 40,019
612,212		 495,656
Fee income 7,191,010 -
7,191,010		 6,815,227
Outreach income - -
-		 -
Shop income 742,940 -
742,940		 712,706
Landlords Supported Living 884,487 -
884,487		 819,734
────── ────── ────── ──────
9,390,630 40,019
9,430,649
8,843,323
══════ ══════ ══════ ══════

Included in the total for 2025 of £9,430,649 (2024: £8,843,323) is unrestricted income of £9,390,630 (2024: £8,806,858) and restricted income of £40,019 (2024: £36,465).

6. Other trading activities

Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
Funds Funds Funds Funds
2025 2024
£ £ £ £
Trading subsidiary 433,485 - 433,485 423,516
income
────── ────── ────── ──────
433,485 - 433,485 423,516
══════ ══════ ══════ ══════

Included in the total for 2025 of £433,485 (2024: £423,516) is unrestricted income of £433,485 (2024: £423,516) and restricted income of £nil (2024: £nil).

41

7. Investment income

Investment income
Unrestricted Restricted
Total Funds
Total Funds
Funds Funds 2025 2024
£ £ £ £
Income from listed investments 37,205 -
37,205
37,899
Bank interest receivable 25,179 -
25,179
27,245
────── ────── ────── ──────
62,384 -
62,384
65,144
══════ ══════ ══════ ══════

Included in the total for 2025 of £62,384 (2024: £65,144) is unrestricted income of £62,384 (2024: £65,144) and restricted income of £nil (2024: £nil).

8. Other income

Other income
Unrestricted Restricted
Total Funds		 Total Funds
Funds Funds 2025 2024
£ £
£		 £
Other income 62,923 4,562 67,485 50,776
Premises income 90,859 - 90,859 95,605
────── ────── ────── ──────
153,782 4,562
158,344		 146,381
══════ ══════ ══════ ══════

Included in the total for 2025 of £158,344 (2024: £146,381) is unrestricted income of £153,782 (2024: £130,187) and restricted income of £4,652 (2024: £16,194).

9. Raising funds

Raising funds
Unrestricted Restricted Total Total Funds
Funds Funds Funds 2024
2025
£ £ £ £
Fundraising costs 48,676 - 48,676 78,834
Marketing costs 87,659 - 87,659 83,508
Commercial trading 145,742 - 145,742 148,870
operations
────── ────── ────── ──────
282,077 - 282,077 311,212
══════ ══════ ══════ ══════

Included in the total for 2025 of £282,077 (2024: £311,212) is unrestricted expenditure of £282,077 (2024: £311,212) and restricted expenditure of £nil (2024: £nil).

42

10. Expenditure on charitable activities by activity type

Activities
undertaken Support Total funds Total fund
directly costs 2025 2024
£ £ £ £
Teaching and education 1,781,315 - 1,781,315 1,127,897
Learner support services 4,994,176 - 4,994,176 5,126,282
Charity support services 2,887,769 - 2,887,769 2,896,383
InFocus charity shops 731,816 - 731,816 606,780
Governance costs - 43,717 43,717 35,885
────── ────── ────── ──────
10,395,076 43,717 10,438,793 9,793,227
══════ ══════ ══════ ══════

Included in the total of £10438,793 (2024: £9,793,227) is unrestricted expenditure of £10,269,623 (2024: £9,579,332) and restricted expenditure of £169,170 (2024: £213,895).

11. Taxation

The charity's activities fall within the exemptions afforded by the provisions of sections 466 to 493 of the Corporation Taxes Act 2010. Accordingly, there is no taxation charge in these accounts.

12. Net gains and losses on investments and investment property

Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds Total Funds
Funds Funds 2025 2024
£ £ £
£
Realised gains/(losses) on
investments - - -
-
Unrealised gains/(losses) on
investments 20,310 - 20,310
127,679
Unrealised gain/(losses) on
investment properties (32,500) - (32,500)
(55,000)
────── ────── ────── ──────
(12,190) - (12,190)
72,679
══════ ══════ ══════ ══════

The total loss for 2025 of £12,190 (2024: gain of £72,679) is unrestricted.

43

13. Net income/(expenditure)

Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting):

2025 2024
Group Group
£ £
Depreciation 448,459 417,115
Operating lease rentals 46,472 44,685
Interest 12,599 -
Auditors’ remuneration 34,034 25,507

14. Staff costs

The total staff costs and employee benefits for the reporting period are analysed as follows:

2025 2024
Group Group
£ £
Wages and salaries 6,378,206 5,495,432
Social security costs 641,878 469,084
Employer contributions to pension plans
Agency staf		 371,306
805,369		 306,886
1,322,999
────── ──────
8,196,759 7,594,401
══════ ══════

Included in staff costs are redundancy payments totalling £nil (2024: £7,079).

The average head count of employees during the year was 266 (2024: 240). The number of employees whose remuneration for the year (excluding employer pension contributions) fell within the following bands were:

2025 2024
Group Group
No. No.
£60,000 to £69,999 4 3
£70,000 to £79,999 - -
£80,000 to £89,999 - -
£90,000 to £99,999 1 1
──── ────
5 4
═══ ═══

Key management personnel are made up of all Executive members (5) and remuneration totalled £453,400 (2024: £426,035).

44

15. Related party transactions

employment with the charity (2024: £nil). There were reimbursements of expenses to trustees of £2,442 (2024: reimbursements of expenses to trustees of £3,089). No charity trustee received payment for professional or other services supplied to the charity (2024: £nil).

16.

Land and Motor Assets under
buildings vehicles Equipment construction Total
£ £ £ £
Cost
At 1 September 2024 12,073,693 235,594 950,226 - 13,259,513
Additions 299,007 13,180 135,022 590,915 1,038,124
Transfers - - - - -
Disposals - - - - -
────── ────── ────── ────── ──────
At 31 August 2025 12,372,700 248,774 1,085,248 590,915 14,297,637
══════ ══════ ══════ ══════ ══════
Depreciation
At 1 September 2024 6,106,252 176,452 717,191 - 6,999,895
Transfers - - - - -
Charge for the year 307,505 16,050 124,904 - 448,459
Eliminated on -
disposal - - - -
────── ────── ────── ────── ──────
At 31 August 2025 6,413,757 192,502 842,095 - 7,448,354
══════ ══════ ══════ ══════ ══════
Carrying amount
At 31 August 2025 5,958,943 56,272 243,153 590,915 6,849,283
══════ ══════ ══════ ══════ ══════
At 31 August 2024 5,967,441 59,142 233,035 - 6,259,618
══════ ══════ ══════ ══════ ══════

45

17. (a) Fixed asset investments

2025 2025 2024 2024
Group Charity Group Charity
£ £ £ £
Investments in subsidiaries - 100 - 100
Other investments 1,352,907 1,352,907 1,332,597 1,332,597
────── ────── ────── ──────
1,352,907 1,353,007 1,332,597 1,332,697
══════ ══════ ══════ ══════

Investments in subsidiaries (charity)

The company owns the entire issued share capital of InFocus Enterprises Limited (formerly WESC Enterprises Limited). InFocus Enterprises Limited, which is incorporated in England and Wales, gift aids its taxable profit to the charity. The registration number of InFocus Enterprises Limited is 10535508. The registered office is the same as that of InFocus Charity, as disclosed in the administrative section of the trustee’s annual report. The principal activity of the company is running catering services and provision of premises hire.

2025 2024
Summary profit and loss account £ £
Turnover 433,485 423,516
Cost of sales (143,999) (140,002)
─────── ───────
289,486 283,514
Administration expenses (184,320) (166,846)
─────── ───────
Operating profit 105,166 116,668
Taxation - -
─────── ───────
Profit for the year 105,166 116,668
══════ ══════
The assets and liabilities of the subsidiary were:
Current assets 159,677 145,789
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year (54,377) (28,987)
─────── ───────
Total assets less current liabilities 105,300 116,802
─────── ───────
Aggregate share capital and reserves 105,300 116,802
══════ ══════

within 9 months of the year end, therefore there is no requirement to make a provision for taxation in the financial statements.

46

Other Investments (Charity and Group)

2025 2024
Listed Listed
investments investments
£ £
Cost or valuation
At 1 September 2024 1,332,597 1,204,918
Additions - -
Disposals - -
Realised gain on disposal - -
Fair value movements 20,310 127,679
─────── ───────
At 31 August 2025 1,352,907 1,332,597
═══════ ═══════

Financial assets held at fair value

All investments are valued at their open market rate at the balance sheet date using readily available market data.

17. (b) Investments: Current

2025 2025 2024 2024
Group Charity Group Charity
£ £ £ £
Cash held on deposit 9,380 9,380 9,280 9,280
══════ ══════ ══════ ══════

47

18. Investment Properties

Investment Properties
2025 2025 2024 2024
Group Charity Group Charity
£ £ £ £
Cost or valuation
At 1 September 460,000 460,000 515,000 515,000
Fair value movement (32,500) (32,500) (55,000) (55,000)
───── ───── ───── ─────
Carrying value at 31 August 427,500 427,500 460,000 460,000
═════ ═════ ═════ ═════

The properties were externally valued at 31 August 2025 after taking appropriate professional advice. The properties are accessed via a private road. The limitations due to the ownership of the access roads and services to both properties mean that the charity could only expect to realise an estimated 50% of any disposal proceeds. The fair value therefore reflects this restriction.

19. Debtors

Debtors
2025 2025 2024 2024
Group Charity Group Charity
£ £ £ £
Trade debtors 517,328 428,505 671,781 590,203
Amounts owed by group undertakings
-		 36,207 - 12,819
Other debtors 6,637 6,573 7,745 6,276
VAT recoverable 5,331 5,331 3,674 3,674
Prepayments and accrued income 243,908 243,908 132,375 132,375
───── ───── ───── ─────
773,204 720,524 815,575 745,347
═════ ═════ ═════ ═════

48

20. (a) Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

2025 2025 2024 2024
Group Charity Group Charity
£ £ £ £
Trade creditors 90,905 88,954 174,892 172,672
Social security and other taxes 224,061 208,879 119,632 106,465
Other creditors 40,150 39,113 69,283 69,383
Accruals and deferred income 549,419 549,419 537,596 536,715
───── ───── ───── ─────
904,535 886,365 901,403 885,235
════ ════ ════ ════

Deferred income comprises grant and fee income that relates to future periods which has been received in advance.

Deferred income comprises the following:

Charitable
activities Total
£ £
At 1 September 2024 426,040 426,040
Deferred in current period 400,737 400,737
Released to Statement of Financial Activities (426,040) (426,040)
───── ─────
At 31 August 2025 400,737 400,737
═════ ═════

20. (b) Creditors: amounts falling due greater than one year

2025 2025 2024 2024
Group Charity Group Charity
£ £ £ £
Mortgage 525,000 525,000 - -
───── ───── ───── ─────
525,000 525,000 - -
═════ ═════ ═════ ═════

49

21. Analysis of charitable funds (group)

Restricted fixed asset funds
St David's House Appeal
Water Therapy Pool
Topsham Road
Other
Total
Restricted general funds
Day services
Site development
Activities for young people
Supporting independence
Family fund
Research
Grants
Bursaries and grants
Access to work
Student purchases
Talking tills
DFE- DFC/SCA
Total
Total restricted funds
Designated funds – site
improvement
Designated funds – residential
appeal
Designated funds – death on
loss of contract for service
users
Designated funds – delay in
fee payment
General unrestricted funds
Total unrestricted funds
Total funds		 At 1
September
2024
£
673,366
242,586
193,601
8,865
1,118,418
4,026
2,064
32,457
49,229
520
8,757
22,629
3,546
13,134
-
-
136,362
1,254,780

500,000
-
200,000
200,000
7,055,416
7,955,416
9,210,196		 Income

£

-
-
-
-
-

30

500

-

12,500

-

-

5,537

-

4,032

-

34,482
57,081

57,081
-
-
-
-

10,544,203

10,544,203

10,601,284		 Expenditure
£
(71,990)
(25,676)
(8,745)
(1,847)
(108,258)
-
(2,558)
-
(16,916)
-
(919)
(970)
-
(5,067)
-
(34,482)
(60,912)
(169,170)
-
-
-
-
(10,563,890)
(10,563,890)
(10,733,060)		 Transfers
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(500,000)
442,434
-
(200,000)
257,566
-
-		 At 31
August
2025
£
601,376
216,710
184,856
7,018
1,010,160
4,056
6
32,457
44,813
520
7,838
27,196
3,546
12,099
-
-
132,531
1,142,691
-
442,434
200,000
-
7,293,295
7,935,729
9,078,420

Notes: Expenditure for general and restricted funds includes the net realised and unrealised gains/(losses) on investments. Transfers include Capital Items and Adjustments.

50

21. Analysis of charitable funds (group) (continued)

The St David’s House appeal was towards the building of a home for young people with more complex needs.

The Water Therapy Pool fund was established to create a new pool for therapeutic, sporting and recreation purposes.

Topsham Road fund was used to help purchase a property which is used as a supported living house.

has been capitalised.

Bursary & grants

Funds received from the Department for Education to support young people in College in need of financial support meet additional costs to help them remain in full time education.

Day Services

InFocus Charity.

Activities for young people

To fund interactive activities for students and young adults at InFocus Charity.

Supporting Independence

Funds used to provide equipment and opportunities in all areas of InFocus Charity to help enable the engagement and independence of students and young adults in daily activities.

Site Development

the students and young adults.

Research

visual impairment and multi-sensory disability. Examples have been the Comic Relief funding of the development of the Eyelander Game.

Talking tills (EPOS/Till System)

Funds used to create a specialised talking till system for people with vision impairment

DFE- DFC/SCA

Annual grants and/or bursaries received from the Department for Education. DFC and SCA are grants provided to help maintain and improve the condition of education buildings and grounds.

Access to work

Monies received to support individuals in the workplace and those requiring reasonable adjustments.

51

Student purchases

specialist equipment.

Family Fund

Used to support families with one-off incidental expenditure outside the scope of Local Authority and bursary funding.

Designated Residential Appeal

including technology and other accessible adaptations.

Designated loss of contract for service user

22. Analysis of net assets between funds (group)

Unrestricted Restricted
Total Funds
Total Funds
Funds Funds 2025
£ £ £
Tangible fxed assets 5,839,123 1,010,160 6,849,283
Investments 1,352,907 - 1,352,907
Investment properties 427,500 - 427,500
Current assets 1,745,734 132,531 1,878,265
Creditors less than 1 year (904,535) - (904,535)
Creditors greater than 1 year (525,000) - (525,000)
────── ────── ──────
Net assets 7,935,729 1,142,691 9,078,420
═════ ══════ ═════

Free reserves are calculated as follows:

Free reserves
2025
£
Total unrestricted funds
Less unrestricted tangible fxed assets		 7,935,729
(5,839,123)
Less designated funds (642,434)
──────
Free Reserves 1,454,172
═════

52

Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds
Funds Funds 2024
£ £ £
Tangible fixed assets 5,141,200 1,118,418 6,259,618
Investments 1,332,597 - 1,332,597
Investment properties 460,000 - 460,000
Current assets 1,923,022 136,362 2,059,384
Creditors less than 1 year (901,403) - (901,403)
────── ────── ──────
Net assets 7,955,416 1,254,780 9,210,196

24. Operating lease commitments (Group)

The total future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases are as follows:


leases are as follows:
2025 2024
£ £
Not later than 1 year 110,130 78,846
Later than 1 year and not later than 5 years 260,229 212,913
Later than 5 years 130,071 -
───── ─────
500,430 291,759
═════ ═════

Operating leases - lessor (Group)

The total future minimum lease receipts under non-cancellable operating leases are as follows:


eases are as follows:
2025 2024
£ £
Not later than 1 year 90,860 78,164
Later than 1 year and not later than 5 years 169,273 -
Later than 5 years - -
───── ─────
260,133 78,164
═════ ═════

25. Analysis of changes in net debt (Group)

At 1 Sept Cash flow At 31 Aug
2024 2025
£ £ £
Cash at bank and on hand 1,234,529 (138,848) 1,095,681
Mortgage - (525,000) (525,000)
───── ───── ─────
Net debt 1,234,529 (663,848) 570,681
═════ ═════ ═════

53

26. Financial instruments

2025 2024
£ £
Financial assets:
Measured at fair value 1,780,407 1,792,597
═════ ═════

27.

The Charity’s employees belong to three principal pension schemes: the Teachers’ Pension Scheme England and Wales (TPS) for academic and related staff; the InFocus Charity pension scheme with Aviva (previously Friends Life) which is closed to new entrants and a NEST Pension Scheme.

Contributions amounting to £54,185 (2024 - £40,779) were payable to the schemes at 31 August and are included within creditors. The amounts recognised in income or expenditure as an expense in relation to defined contribution plans was £371,306 (2024: £306,886).

Teachers' Pension Scheme

scheme, governed by the Teachers’ Pension Scheme Regulations (2010) and, from 1 April 2014, by the Teachers’ Pension Scheme Regulations 2014. Membership is automatic for full-time teachers and, from 1 January 2007, automatic for teachers in part-time employment following appointment or a change of contract, although they are able to opt out.

The TPS is an unfunded scheme and members contribute on a ‘pay as you go’ basis - these contributions along with those made by employers are credited to the Exchequer. Retirement and other pension benefits are paid by public funds provided by Parliament.

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Valuation of the Teachers' Pension Scheme

Not less than every four years the Government Actuary, using normal actuarial principles, conducts a formal actuarial review of the TPS in accordance with the Public Service Pensions (Valuations and Employer Cost Cap) Directions 2014 published by HM Treasury. The aim of the review is to specify the level of future contributions. Actuarial scheme valuations are dependent on assumptions about the value of future costs, design of benefits and many other factors.

The latest actuarial valuation of the TPS was carried out as at 31 March 2020 and in accordance with the Public Service Pensions (Valuations and Employer Cost Cap) Directions 2014. The valuation report was published by the Department for Education on 26 October 2023.

The key elements of the valuation and subsequent consultation are:

  • Employer contribution rates set at 28.6% of pensionable pay from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2027 (previously 23.68% of pensionable pay which included an additional 0.8% following agreement between the Department for Education and HM Treasury to delay the increase in employer contribution rates until 1 September 2019, and also an additional 0.08% employer administration charge).

  • Total scheme liabilities (pensions currently in payment and the estimated cost of future benefits) for service to the effective date of £262,000 million, and notional assets (estimated future contributions together with the notional investments held at the valuation date) of £222,200 million giving a notional past service deficit of £39,800 million.

• The key fnancial assumptions are :
Discount rate, net of assumed pension
increases		 1.7% - 2.4%
Rates ofpension increases 0.0% - 4.1%
Rates of CARE revaluation 1.6% - 5.7%
Rates of salaryincreases 1.6% - 3.8%

TPS is a multi-employer pension scheme. InFocus Charity has accounted for its contributions to the scheme as if it were a defined contribution scheme. InFocus Charity has set out above the information available on the scheme.

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Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities (including Income and Expenditure Account)

31 August 2025

31 August 2025
Unrestricted Restricted 2025 2024
funds funds Total funds Total funds
Note £ £ £ £
Income and endowments
Donations and legacies 4 503,922 12,500 516,422 516,422
307,018
Charitable activities 5 9,390,630 40,019 9,430,649 9,430,649
8,843,323
Other trading activities 6 433,485 - 433,485 433,485
423,516
Investment income 7 62,384 - 62,384 62,384
65,144
Other income 8 153,782 4,562 158,344 158,344
146,381
─────── ─────── ─────── ───────
Total income 10,544,203 57,081 10,601,284 10,601,284
9,785,382
═══════ ═══════ ═══════ ═══════
Expenditure
Expenditure on raising funds 9 282,077 - 282,077 311,212
Expenditure on charitable activities 10 10,269,623 169,170 10,438,793 9,793,227
─────── ─────── ─────── ───────
Total expenditure 10,551,700 169,170 10,720,870 10,104,439
═══════ ═══════ ═══════ ═══════
Net unrealised gain / (loss) on
revaluation of fixed assets		 12 (32,500) - (32,500) (55,000)
Net realised and unrealised gains /
(losses) on investments 12 20,310 - 20,310 127,679
Transfers between funds - - - -
─────── ─────── ─────── ───────
Net income/(expenditure) and net Net income/(expenditure) and net
movement in funds (19,687) (112,089) (131,776) (131,776)
(246,378)
═══════ ═══════ ═══════ ═══════
Reconciliation of funds
─────── ─────── ─────── ───────
Total funds brought forward (2024) 7,955,416 1,254,780 9,210,196 9,456,574
─────── ─────── **─────── ** ───────
Total funds carried forward 7,935,729 1,142,691 9,078,420 9,210,196
═══════ ═══════ ═══════ ═══════

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