**REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1063143**
**REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
## **FOR**
## **STEPS**
Mark J Rees LLP Chartered Accountants Granville Hall Granville Road Leicester Leicestershire LE1 7RU
**STEPS**
**CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Page
Report of the Trustees 1 to 6
Independent Examiner's Report 7
Statement of Financial Activities 8
Balance Sheet 9 to 10
Notes to the Financial Statements 11 to 24
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities 25 to 26
**----- End of picture text -----**
**STEPS**
**REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2024. The trustees have adopted the provisions of 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) (effective 1 January 2019).
## **OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES Objectives and aims**
The aims of Steps are:
1. In partnership with parents, to provide high quality early education opportunities for children aged 0-5 with motor learning difficulties and their families. Through use of structured play, The Early Years Foundation stage of the national curriculum within the framework of Conductive Education, children are encouraged to achieve stepped goals that enhance skills for independence in everyday life and boost esteem in both parent and child. By working and playing together, families learn to celebrate success and recognise the potential in every child.
2. To provide ongoing support for children over years who have motor learning difficulties in the form of a gym club, and activity days organised annually for all parents/carers, their children, and siblings.
3. To promote the benefits of Conductive Education with the statutory bodies nationally.
The Trustees have had due regard to the guidance published by the Charity Commission on public benefit as required by the Charities (Accounts and reports) Regulations 2008.
## **Significant activities**
Steps is a small, well established charity supporting families with children who have disabilities. We offer a free and unique service following the principles of Conductive Education for children with conditions that cause motor impairments or motor development delays. We work with young children who have Cerebral Palsy, chromosome disorders including Down Syndrome or other conditions which affect the acquisition of motor skills. Many of our children have life limiting conditions and illnesses. The focus is on the potential of each child and how each child's development can be enhanced through an optimistic and informed approach. Conductive Education combines education, psychology and medical science and considers all aspects of development. Our goal is to develop the skills the children need to progress and maximize their potential. At the same time, we provide parents with the knowledge, confidence and strength they need to understand how they can enhance the development of their child.
Steps believes firmly in early intervention and we take children from a few weeks old into our sessions. The children learn in small groups according to their specific needs and abilities with parents staying with the child in the session, as it is strongly felt that everything taught at Steps can be continued in the home. The parents are placed very much at the forefront of their child's education. We focus on the children and not their disability. Every small achievement the children make is greatly applauded and child and parent are encouraged every step of the way. The service is a lifeline to the families and children of the East Midlands, and has helped hundreds of children over the years since its inception in 1994 with a very established, core team of professionals who work with the children in our care. Our team are all qualified practitioners who in the majority have worked at Steps directly with the children for many years. We are led and managed by an experienced board of Trustees, two of whom have children who have attended the Steps sessions and have lived through the experience.
Steps has an open door policy and parents may refer themselves, or other parents will recommend the service to families. Professionals such as Health Visitors or Paediatricians will also encourage families to get in touch. There are very few services in the UK that support both child and parent together in the same place and this service offers this invaluable support.
The year ending 31st March 2024 was the 30th year of operation for Steps.
Page 1
**STEPS**
**REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
## **ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE Charitable activities Overview of the year**
The numbers of children needing our support remains stable and the complex needs of those children that access our service have become more varied.
Our service is now running its face-to-face sessions daily and online sessions once a week for any family that cannot attend the centre or may wish to access a session online. Although we realise that our online service is not as comprehensive as our face-to-face teaching, it has meant that families do not have to travel for miles to access the service.
In practice, we have a mixed diversity of people that actively engage with us. Some of the Steps Trustees and staff team have lived experience of the challenges that our families are going through which we feel really benefits our service users.
The Chatterbox time at the start of each session remains an important part of our programme. Chatterbox was originally introduced as our team were so concerned that the children who had been born during the Pandemic or who attended Steps during this time were socially deprived. This part of the session takes place every day for the first half hour and settles the children into the daily routine. Chatterbox encourages speech and language development for our children and early communication skills. Parents/carers also benefit from this part of the session as they can talk with other parents who share similar life experiences. Chatterbox has been running for two years now and it is lovely to see families chatting together with their children.
Steps children communicate in a variety of ways and in the majority, they have speech delays or are nonverbal. We use Makaton in all sessions and our own body language with gestures for early communication. Steps children are very reliant on these forms of communication as a form of making themselves heard and ensuring that their needs are met. Chatterbox has been an important part of the programme to address these needs.
## **Children**
Our numbers of children have remained stable over the year, and we have supported fifty children and their families during this time.
The children have enjoyed the family activity weeks that we have put into our programme over the last year. The highlights of the trips were The National Space Centre and Sea Life in Birmingham. All families enjoyed the trips and were grateful to us for organising them, without our support, many of them would not consider such outings. It was great to see the families relaxed and making memories together. Bonding is crucially important for the children and families, and we understand that the stresses of family life have increased in recent times, making this something that is harder for our families to achieve. Building memories is very important for the children and parents under our care as many of the children have life-limiting conditions and illnesses. Siblings also really enjoy spending time as a whole family bonding with their disabled brother or sister and enjoying some family special times.
The Team is using Tapestry as a way of communicating with our families using a private portal that parents can log on to in Steps website at any point of the day or night to look at their child's journey with us at Steps.
Staff have continued with Professional Development throughout the year. Indila Simandi and Natalie Roberts share the role of Designated Lead Safeguarding Officers.
## **Staffing**
Page 2
**STEPS**
**REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
Trish Mabbott continues as our Fundraiser and Operations Manager. Her experience in leading the team and her wealth of knowledge of the service has always been exemplary, and she provides Steps with the stability and knowledge that it needs to continue to offer an outstanding service. Trish has led the team with the support and guidance of the Trustees during the last fifteen years and continues to build on relationships with funders.
Natalie Roberts continues as Centre Manager. Natalie joined Steps in September 2022 after a long career in Early Years Education. Natalie has come from a management role in a pre-school attached to a local primary school and has also worked in other school settings as well as the private Nursery sector. Natalie lives locally and supports Trish Mabbott our Fundraiser and Operations Manager by managing the Steps Centre, coordinating events and visits to support the activities of the charity.
Both Trish and Natalie are supported by Conductors, an admin team and volunteers.
## **Working with the Community and volunteers**
We continue to be involved with our local community through talks given to community groups by our Centre Manager and a longstanding volunteer. We also have organisations such as David Wilson Homes who organise volunteering days with Steps to carry out necessary maintenance tasks and gardening projects.
We have three regular volunteers who support Steps, one of our volunteers is based in the classroom with the children. The team have found this support helpful, and the families all enjoy their sessions with her.
The children have enjoyed being part of the local community with visits to a farm and several visits to a local play centre.
We have used a trained Counsellor who practices locally to regularly support our parents and we refer them as needed.
We have engaged with local training providers to support their students with placements at Steps. Two of our team have also given presentations to other Conductive Education Centres in a conference this year around the work that we do at Steps. One of the centres is planning to visit Steps to observe our practice so that they can take some ideas back to use in their own setting.
## **Working with Health and Education**
Steps is no longer supported through the area CCGs, and this continues to have an impact on our funding.
Steps continues to keep abreast of new Government initiatives and current Early Years Practice. Our Conductors attend children's review meetings as necessary. The team attend training that supports best practice.
## **Charitable Events**
The Chairman of the Northwest Leicestershire Council has chosen Steps to be his charity of the year. Steps Trustees have attended several events organised by Councillor Ray Morris which have been thoroughly enjoyed.
Steps was awarded Charity of the year status through The Furnley House Foundation. Our Centre Manager gave a presentation to the Foundation about the work that is carried out at Steps leading us to be chosen for this amazing award.
## **The Building**
We have had some large repairs in the last year due to general wear and tear of the building consistent with its age. We have also noticed a significant increase in our gas and electricity bills which has had an impact on our finances.
## **The Future**
Page 3
**STEPS**
**REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
This year we have continued to see consistent numbers of children accessing the service. This service is a lifeline to the families and children of the East Midlands and those further afield through our online sessions. Steps has helped hundreds of children over the years since its inception in 1994 with a very established, core team of dedicated professionals who work tirelessly with the children in our care. As a service we believe firmly in early intervention and supporting those who need our help.
We constantly look for ways to improve our service and support the challenges that our families are faced with on a daily basis.
## **Funding**
We have been awarded another grant from The National Lottery Community Foundation for the work around Chatterbox. The grant will support Steps for five years and makes up a proportion of our funding needs. We are extremely grateful and proud to be continually supported by the National Lottery Community Foundation. This grant will enable Steps to diversify in its future offer and gives us stability to continue to run our vital service.
We have also been successful in gaining another grant from Children In Need which is extremely important not only in monetary terms but also as an accolade of our worth. The funding will help support two of our teaching teams salaries. We really find that both The National Lottery Community Fund and Children In Need have a great impact on Steps being looked at favourably by funders.
In general grants are harder to gain funding from as it is now so competitive. Steps relies totally on grants from Trusts and Foundations and general donations to run its service.
Steps is no longer supported by the area CCGs due to their change of funding criteria and this continues to have a big impact on our income generation.
## **FINANCIAL REVIEW**
## **Financial position**
It is the policy of the Trustees to maintain unrestricted general funds, not committed or invested in fixed assets, at a level which equates with up to three months' unrestricted expenditure, in order to provide sufficient funds to finance expenditure on charitable activities and governance costs. Unrestricted funds have remained at that level throughout the year.
The charity had a number of unrestricted funds which have arisen from various grants, donations, and fundraising income to finance expenditure on specific purposes, including the building fund for the old scout hut renovation and ongoing maintenance and future development of this site.
## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT**
## **Governing document**
STEPS is a registered charity and was established under a trust deed dated 29th May 1997 as amended by supplemental deeds dated 19 November 1998, 19 January 2000, 25 March 2003, 23 August 2008, 26 January 2012 and 13 February 2019.
## **Recruitment and appointment of new trustees**
Additional trustees are recruited and appointed by the existing trustees.
## **Organisational structure**
The Trust Deed provides for a minimum of 3 Trustees. The Trustees meet on a regular basis and are responsible for the overall policy for running the charity and advising on all matters relating to staff and finance.
Angie Higgins is the administrator for the Steps Lottery club.
Page 4
**STEPS**
**REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT**
## **Induction and training of new Trustees**
The induction and training of new Trustees is provided by the existing Trustees and external professional training courses, as appropriate to ensure the Trustees fulfill the Charity's objective.
## **Related parties**
Details of related parties and transactions with them are given in the notes to the financial statements.
## **Risk management**
The Trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error.
## **REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS**
## **Registered Charity number**
1063143
## **Principal address**
The Old School 40 Loughborough Road Shepshed Loughborough Leicestershire LE12 9DN
## **Trustees**
Mr J Montague (Chairman) Mrs RJN Conley-Rimmington CBE Mr A Carr Ms L Beales Ms J Cooper-Hudson Dr AIA Lennox Mr D Andrews (appointed 12.3.2024)
## **Independent Examiner**
Mr P Bott FCA BSc (Hons) Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales Mark J Rees LLP Chartered Accountants Granville Hall Granville Road Leicester Leicestershire LE1 7RU
## **Bankers**
CAF Bank Limited 25 Kings Hill Avenue Kings Hill West Malling Kent ME19 4JQ
Page 5
**STEPS**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
Virgin Money 3 East Gates Leicester LE1 5YA Approved by order of the board of trustees on 17 October 2024 and signed on its behalf by:
Mr J Montague (Chairman) - Trustee
Page 6
**INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF STEPS**
## **Independent examiner's report to the trustees of STEPS**
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of STEPS (the Trust) for the year ended 31 March 2024.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act').
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under Section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
## **Independent examiner's statement**
Since your charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a listed body. I can confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a registered member of Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales which is one of the listed bodies.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by Section 130 of the Act; or
2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or
3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
## **Use of our report**
This report is made solely to the charitable company's members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and the charitable company's members as a body, for our work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
Mr P Bott FCA BSc (Hons) Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales Mark J Rees LLP Chartered Accountants Granville Hall Granville Road Leicester Leicestershire LE1 7RU
22 October 2024
Page 7
**STEPS**
## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
|Unrestricted
funds
Notes
£
**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM**
Donations and legacies
2
**122,055**
Other trading activities
3
**15,531**
Investment income
4
**606**
**Total**
**138,192**
**EXPENDITURE ON**
Raising funds
5
**33,641**
**Charitable activities**
6
Leicestershire Conductive Education Centre
**90,100**
Other
**14,703**
**Total**
**138,444**
**NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)**
**(252)**
**RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS**
**Total funds brought forward**
As previously reported
**575,794**
Prior year adjustment
12
**33,333**
**As restated**
**609,127**
**TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD**
**608,875**|Restricted
funds
£
**124,596**
**-**
**-**
**124,596**
**-**
**104,777**
**-**
**104,777**
**19,819**
**74,052**
**-**
**74,052**
**93,871**|**2024**
**Total**
**funds**
as
**£**
**246,651**
**15,531**
**606**
**262,788**
**33,641**
**194,877**
**14,703**
**243,221**
**19,567**
**649,846**
**33,333**
**683,179**
**702,746**|2023
Total
funds
restated
£
264,046
13,177
450
277,673
35,521
208,521
11,970
256,012
21,661
661,518
-
661,518
683,179|
|---|---|---|---|
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 8
**STEPS**
## **BALANCE SHEET 31 MARCH 2024**
|Notes
**FIXED ASSETS**
Tangible assets
13
**CURRENT ASSETS**
Debtors
14
Cash at bank and in hand
**CREDITORS**
Amounts falling due within one year
15
**NET CURRENT ASSETS**
**TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT**
**LIABILITIES**
**NET ASSETS**|Unrestricted
funds
£
**528,320**
**7,625**
**80,215**
**87,840**
**(7,284)**
**80,556**
**608,876**
**608,876**|Restricted
funds
£
**8,738**
**-**
**85,132**
**85,132**
**-**
**85,132**
**93,870**
**93,870**|**2024**
**Total**
**funds**
**£**
**537,058**
**7,625**
**165,347**
**172,972**
**(7,284)**
**165,688**
**702,746**
**702,746**|2023
Total
funds
as restated
£
544,293
4,798
141,710
146,508
(7,622)
138,886
683,179
683,179|
|---|---|---|---|---|
The notes form part of these financial statements
continued...
Page 9
**STEPS**
## **BALANCE SHEET - continued 31 MARCH 2024**
|**FUNDS**
16
Unrestricted funds:
General fund
Revaluation reserve
Restricted funds
**TOTAL FUNDS**|**140,230**
**468,646**
**608,876**
**93,870**
**702,746**|140,481
468,646
609,127
74,052
683,179|
|---|---|---|
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 17 October 2024 and were signed on its behalf by:
Mrs RJN Conley-Rimmington CBE - Trustee
Mr J Montague (Chairman) - Trustee
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 10
**STEPS**
**NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
## **1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES**
## **Basis of preparing the financial statements**
The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) '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) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.
## **Financial reporting standard 102 - reduced disclosure exemptions**
The charity has taken advantage of the following disclosure exemption in preparing these financial statements, as permitted by FRS 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland':
- the requirements of Section 7 Statement of Cash Flows.
## **Income**
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.
## **Government grants**
Grants that are receivable as compensation for expenses or losses already incurred or for the purpose of giving immediate financial support to the entity with no future related costs are recognised in income in the period in which it becomes receivable.
## **Expenditure**
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
## **Tangible fixed assets**
Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.
Freehold property - 2% on cost or valuation Fixtures & equipment - 25% on reducing balance Software - 33% on cost
All tangible fixed assets are capitalised and initially recognised at cost.
Freehold property is carried at its revalued cost, less deprecation.
## **Taxation**
The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.
## **Fund accounting**
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
continued...
Page 11
**STEPS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
## **1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued**
## **Fund accounting**
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.
## **Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits**
The charity contributes to personal pension schemes in respect of certain employees. The amount charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in respect of pension costs is the contributions payable in the year.
## **Debtors**
Short term debtors are measured at transaction price, less any impairment. Loans receivable are measured initially at fair value, net of transaction costs, and are measured subsequently at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less any impairment.
## **Creditors**
Short term trade creditors are measured at the transaction price. Other financial liabilities, including bank loans, are measured initially at fair value, net of transaction costs, and are measured subsequently at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
## **2. DONATIONS AND LEGACIES**
|Gift aid - income tax recoverable
Grants
Donations - Rotary
Donations - British Gypsum
Donations - Thomas Shipman
Donations - Other
Donations - Rosemary Conely
Donations - A Freckingham
Donations - J Steer
Donations - P J Lester
Donations - Ashby Bowls Club
Donations - Furnley House
Donations - JKM Swimschool
Donations - Quorn Ukelele Orch
Donations - Facebook
Donations - P Curley
Donations - Just Giving
Donations - Brush Consolidated
Donations - GM Hodges
Donations - M Duke|**2024**
a
**£**
**2,868**
**199,615**
**1,000**
**-**
**1,000**
**15,526**
**-**
**5,000**
**1,000**
**1,500**
**1,290**
**5,000**
**1,188**
**2,075**
**-**
**-**
**9,589**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**246,651**|2023
s restated
£
4,125
128,580
4,350
16,025
-
20,211
6,875
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
4,085
1,500
27,044
26,250
20,000
5,001
264,046|
|---|---|---|
continued...
Page 12
**STEPS**
**NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
## **2. DONATIONS AND LEGACIES - continued**
Grants received, included in the above, are as follows:
|Leicestershire County Council - Other
BBC Children in Need
Next PLC
The Hedley Foundation - Capital expenditure
The Albert Hunt Trust
The George Ernest Ellis Foundation
Percy Bilton Charity
Helen Jean Cope Charity
Henry Smith Charity
John Eastwood Foundation
National Lottery Community Fund
Maud Elkington Grant
Intelligent Energy Grant
Barratt Homes
Boshier Hinton foundation
The Dromintee Trust
Ethan UTD
Florence Turner Trust
The Barbara Ward Children's Foundation
Caterpillar Cares
Sir Andrew Martin Trust
Skipton Building Society
David Soloman Charitable Trust
Trustees of Edgar E Lawley Foundation
The J Reginauld Corah Foundation
C Harlow
Catherine Harlow - unrestricted
Postcode Places Trust
Robert Harlow Charitable Trust
The Dixie Rose Findlay Charitable Trust
The Goodnman Foundation|**2024**
a
**£**
**5,000**
**15,000**
**-**
**2,000**
**3,000**
**-**
**5,364**
**2,000**
**10,000**
**1,000**
**36,516**
**1,000**
**9,000**
**3,000**
**2,000**
**20,000**
**1,235**
**-**
**5,000**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**500**
**30,000**
**15,000**
**20,000**
**5,000**
**3,000**
**5,000**
**199,615**|2023
s restated
£
-
66,666
12,000
-
-
500
-
-
10,000
-
30,866
-
-
-
-
-
765
500
-
800
1,000
2,483
1,000
1,500
500
-
-
-
-
-
-
128,580|
|---|---|---|
continued...
Page 13
**STEPS**
**NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
3. OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES
2024 2023
as restated
£ £
Hire of facilities 14,400 12,532
Steps Super Lottery 1,011 630
Other fundraising income 120 15
15,531 13,177
4. INVESTMENT INCOME
2024 2023
as restated
£ £
Bank interest receivable 606 450
5. RAISING FUNDS
Raising donations and legacies
2024 2023
as restated
£ £
Staff costs 33,025 35,229
Other fundraising expenditure 581 246
Support costs 35 46
33,641 35,521
6. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS
Direct
Costs (see Support
note 7) costs Totals
£ £ £
Leicestershire Conductive Education
Centre 194,637 240 194,877
**----- End of picture text -----**
continued...
Page 14
**STEPS**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
## **7. DIRECT COSTS OF CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES**
|Staff costs
Rates and water
Insurance
Light and heat
Postage, stationery and telephone
Sundries
Consumables - toys, equipment, films, photos etc
Training and recruitment
Staff expenses
Repairs and renewals
Subscriptions and licences
School outings
Cleaning
IT Costs
Depreciation
**8.**
**INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REMUNERATION**
Independent examiners remuneration|**2024**
a
**£**
**134,928**
**1,954**
**6,003**
**2,244**
**3,113**
**565**
**2,471**
**706**
**4,345**
**10,553**
**110**
**462**
**9,003**
**4,292**
**13,888**
**194,637**
**2024**
a
**£**
**4,356**|2023
s restated
£
134,053
2,036
5,577
6,459
4,410
1,293
3,779
1,511
2,129
17,886
330
1,619
8,934
3,557
14,948
208,521
2023
s restated
£
4,116|
|---|---|---|
## **9. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS**
There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2024 nor for the year ended 31 March 2023.
## **Trustees' expenses**
There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 March 2024 nor for the year ended 31 March 2023.
continued...
Page 15
**STEPS**
**NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
## **10. STAFF COSTS**
|Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Other pension costs
The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:
Charitable activities
Fundraising and governance||**2024**
a
**£**
**152,349**
**8,121**
**7,483**
**167,953**
**2024**
a
**6**
**1**
**7**|s
s|2023
restated
£
154,292
8,090
6,900
169,282
2023
restated
7
1
8|
|---|---|---|---|---|
No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000.
Total remuneration in relation to Key Management Personnel, included within the figures above, amounts to £49,933 (2023: £46,811).
## **11. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - 31 MARCH 2023**
|Unrestricted
funds
£
**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM**
Donations and legacies
138,230
Other trading activities
13,177
Investment income
450
**Total**
151,857
**EXPENDITURE ON**
Raising funds
20,545
**Charitable activities**
Leicestershire Conductive Education Centre
56,719
Other
11,970
**Total**
89,234|Restricted
funds
as
£
125,816
-
-
125,816
14,976
151,802
-
166,778|Total
funds
restated
£
264,046
13,177
450
277,673
35,521
208,521
11,970
256,012|
|---|---|---|
continued...
Page 16
**STEPS**
**NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
|**11.**
**COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - 31 MARCH 2023 - continued**
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
funds
funds
funds
as restated
£
£
£
**NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)**
62,623
(40,962)
21,661
**RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS**
Total funds brought forward
546,503
115,015
661,518|
|---|
|**TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD**
609,126
74,053
683,179|
## **12. PRIOR YEAR ADJUSTMENT**
The prior year adjustment relates to the release of £33,333 of deferred income, received from Children in Need in 2022, which should have occurred in 2023.
The adjustment has been corrected by restating each of the affected financial statement line items for the prior periods. The correction of these prior year adjustments can be identified on the statement of financial activities and the balance sheet.
## **13. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS**
|**COST OR VALUATION**
At 1 April 2023
Additions
At 31 March 2024
**DEPRECIATION**
At 1 April 2023
Charge for year
At 31 March 2024
**NET BOOK VALUE**
At 31 March 2024
At 31 March 2023|Freehold
Fixtures
property
& equipment
£
£
**550,000**
**72,853**
**-**
**5,580**
**550,000**
**78,433**
**14,200**
**67,688**
**9,000**
**2,497**
**23,200**
**70,185**
**526,800**
**8,248**
535,800
5,165|Software
£
**24,139**
**1,073**
**25,212**
**20,811**
**2,391**
**23,202**
**2,010**
3,328|Totals
£
**646,992**
**6,653**
**653,645**
**102,699**
**13,888**
**116,587**
**537,058**
544,293|
|---|---|---|---|
continued...
Page 17
**STEPS**
**NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
## **13. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS - continued**
Cost or valuation at 31 March 2024 is represented by:
|Valuation in 2022
Cost|**Freehold**
**property**
**£**
**(513,349)**
**1,063,349**
**550,000**|**Fixtures**
**& equipment**
**£**
**-**
**78,433**
**78,433**|**Software**
**£**
**-**
**25,212**
**25,212**|**Totals**
**£**
**(513,349)**
**1,166,994**
**653,645**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
If freehold land and buildings had not been revalued they would have been included at the following historical cost:
|Cost
Aggregate depreciation|**2024**
**£**
**1,063,349**
**(1,061,663)**|2023
as restated
£
1,063,349
(1,052,663)|
|---|---|---|
Freehold land and buildings were valued on an open market basis on 27 September 2022 by Sturgis, Snow and Astill LLP.
Included in cost of freehold property is freehold land of £100,000 (2023: £100,000).
## **14. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR**
|Other debtors
Tax
Prepayments|**2024**
2023
as restated
**£**
£
**2,487**
379
**2,868**
2,912
**2,270**
1,507
**7,625**
4,798|
|---|---|
continued...
Page 18
**STEPS**
**NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
## **15. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR**
|Other creditors
Accruals and deferred income|**2024**
2023
as restated
**£**
£
**2,044**
3,164
**5,240**
4,458
**7,284**
7,622|
|---|---|
## **16. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS**
|**Unrestricted funds**
General fund
Revaluation reserve
**Restricted funds**
Building fund
Question of Brains
Screwfix
Henry Smith Grant
Digital Fund
BBC Children in Need
Barratt Homes
The Gordon Trust
The Everard Foundation
Boshier Hinton Foundation
Dromitee Trust
Edgar E Lawley Foundation
David Soloman Charitable Trust
Skipton Building Society
Fibre Optics
National Lottery Community Fund
Sir Andrew Martin Trust
Hedley Foundation
Intel energy grant
Postcode Lottery
J Corah
**TOTAL FUNDS**|Prior
year
At 1.4.23
adjustment
£
£
**107,148**
**33,333**
**468,646**
**-**
**575,794**
**33,333**
**11,027**
**-**
**13,104**
**-**
**5,000**
**-**
**4,167**
**-**
**17,744**
**-**
**8,333**
**-**
**1,000**
**-**
**2,000**
**-**
**2,000**
**-**
**593**
**-**
**2,500**
**-**
**1,500**
**-**
**1,000**
**-**
**1,645**
**-**
**800**
**-**
**1,139**
**-**
**500**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**74,052**
**-**
**649,846**
**33,333**|Net
movement
in funds
£
**(251)**
**-**
**(251)**
**(85)**
**-**
**(5,000)**
**3,333**
**(6,728)**
**(4,583)**
**-**
**(1,027)**
**(2,000)**
**1,407**
**10,833**
**-**
**(1,000)**
**(1,645)**
**3,385**
**(550)**
**(500)**
**2,000**
**8,145**
**13,333**
**500**
**19,818**
**19,567**|At
31.3.24
£
**140,230**
**468,646**
**608,876**
**10,942**
**13,104**
**-**
**7,500**
**11,016**
**3,750**
**1,000**
**973**
**-**
**2,000**
**13,333**
**1,500**
**-**
**-**
**4,185**
**589**
**-**
**2,000**
**8,145**
**13,333**
**500**
**93,870**
**702,746**|
|---|---|---|---|
continued...
Page 19
**STEPS**
**NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
## **16. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued**
Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
|**Unrestricted funds**
General fund
C Harlow - unrestricted
**Restricted funds**
Building fund
Screwfix
Henry Smith Grant
Digital Fund
BBC Children in Need
The Gordon Trust
The Everard Foundation
Boshier Hinton Foundation
Dromitee Trust
David Soloman Charitable Trust
Skipton Building Society
Fibre Optics
National Lottery Community Fund
Sir Andrew Martin Trust
Hedley Foundation
Intel energy grant
Postcode Lottery
J Corah
**TOTAL FUNDS**|Incoming
resources
£
**123,192**
**15,000**
**138,192**
**-**
**-**
**10,000**
**4,000**
**15,000**
**-**
**-**
**2,000**
**20,000**
**-**
**-**
**5,580**
**36,516**
**-**
**2,000**
**9,000**
**20,000**
**500**
**124,596**
**262,788**|Resources
Movement
expended
in funds
£
£
**(123,443)**
**(251)**
**(15,000)**
**-**
**(138,443)**
**(251)**
**(85)**
**(85)**
**(5,000)**
**(5,000)**
**(6,667)**
**3,333**
**(10,728)**
**(6,728)**
**(19,583)**
**(4,583)**
**(1,027)**
**(1,027)**
**(2,000)**
**(2,000)**
**(593)**
**1,407**
**(9,167)**
**10,833**
**(1,000)**
**(1,000)**
**(1,645)**
**(1,645)**
**(2,195)**
**3,385**
**(37,066)**
**(550)**
**(500)**
**(500)**
**-**
**2,000**
**(855)**
**8,145**
**(6,667)**
**13,333**
**-**
**500**
**(104,778)**
**19,818**
**(243,221)**
**19,567**|
|---|---|---|
continued...
Page 20
**STEPS**
**NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
## **16. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued**
## **Comparatives for movement in funds**
|**Unrestricted funds**
General fund
Revaluation reserve
**Restricted funds**
Building fund
Question of Brains
LCC Community Fund
Screwfix
Henry Smith Grant
Digital Fund
The Sobell Foundation
BBC Children in Need
Barratt Homes
Amazon Community
Lillie Johnson Trust
Mary Potter Trust
Maud Elkinton Charitable Trust
The Gordon Trust
The Everard Foundation
Boshier Hinton Foundation
Dromitee Trust
The Randal Charitable Foundation
Edgar E Lawley Foundation
David Soloman Charitable Trust
Skipton Building Society
Fibre Optics
National Lottery Community Fund
Sir Andrew Martin Trust
**TOTAL FUNDS**|At 1.4.22
£
67,590
478,913
546,503
20,141
1,104
7,500
5,000
4,167
35,022
1,667
8,333
3,000
1,000
500
3,000
1,000
2,000
2,000
831
12,500
6,250
-
-
-
-
-
-
115,015
661,518|Net
movement
in funds
£
62,624
-
62,624
(9,114)
12,000
(7,500)
-
-
(17,278)
(1,667)
-
(2,000)
(1,000)
(500)
(3,000)
(1,000)
-
-
(238)
(10,000)
(6,250)
1,500
1,000
1,645
800
1,139
500
(40,963)
21,661|Transfers
between
funds
£
10,267
(10,267)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-|At
31.3.23
£
140,481
468,646
609,127
11,027
13,104
-
5,000
4,167
17,744
-
8,333
1,000
-
-
-
-
2,000
2,000
593
2,500
-
1,500
1,000
1,645
800
1,139
500
74,052
683,179|
|---|---|---|---|---|
continued...
Page 21
**STEPS**
**NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
## **16. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued**
Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
|**Unrestricted funds**
General fund
**Restricted funds**
Building fund
Question of Brains
LCC Community Fund
Henry Smith Grant
Digital Fund
The Sobell Foundation
BBC Children in Need
Barratt Homes
Amazon Community
Lillie Johnson Trust
Mary Potter Trust
Maud Elkinton Charitable Trust
Boshier Hinton Foundation
Dromitee Trust
The Randal Charitable Foundation
Edgar E Lawley Foundation
David Soloman Charitable Trust
Skipton Building Society
Fibre Optics
National Lottery Community Fund
Sir Andrew Martin Trust
**TOTAL FUNDS**|Incoming
resources
£
151,857
-
12,000
-
10,000
1
-
66,666
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1,500
1,000
2,483
800
30,866
500
125,816
277,673|Resources
Movement
expended
in funds
£
£
(89,233)
62,624
(9,114)
(9,114)
-
12,000
(7,500)
(7,500)
(10,000)
-
(17,279)
(17,278)
(1,667)
(1,667)
(66,666)
-
(2,000)
(2,000)
(1,000)
(1,000)
(500)
(500)
(3,000)
(3,000)
(1,000)
(1,000)
(238)
(238)
(10,000)
(10,000)
(6,250)
(6,250)
-
1,500
-
1,000
(838)
1,645
-
800
(29,727)
1,139
-
500
(166,779)
(40,963)
(256,012)
21,661|
|---|---|---|
## **Building Fund**
The Building Fund represents the amount of grants, donations and fundraising income which have been specifically received to finance the purchase, refurbishment and improvement of the freehold property at St Botolph's Old School. This was purchased in the year ended 31 March 2007 and subsequent expenditure has been incurred on refurbishment, improvements and the purchase of equipment. This includes the value of donated building work and related professional services provided to the charity free of charge in the year ended 31 March 2008. The cost of this expenditure has been reduced by depreciation as appropriate to reduce the value of these assets over their useful economic life. The freehold property was revalued in September 2022 and the Trustees agree this value in the year ended 31 March 2024.
## **Question of Brains Fund and Next combined**
continued...
Page 22
**STEPS**
**NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
## **16. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued**
The Question of Brains Fund represents the amount of grants, donations and fundraising income which have been specifically received in connection with the annual Question of Brains fundraising event. This amount is expected to be expended in full during the year to 31 March 2025.
## **The Digital Fund**
The Digital Fund represents the amount of grants, donations and fundraising income which have been specifically received to finance the development and ongoing costs associated with online sessions and services.
## **Edgar E Lawley Foundation**
The Edgar E Lawley Foundation represents the amount of grant income which has been specifically received to support the costs of volunteers at Steps.
## **Barratt Homes**
The Barratt Homes represents the amount of grants income to be spent on staff training.
## **BBC Children in Need**
The BBC Children in Need Fund represents the amount of grant income which has been specifically received to finance the salary of two employees. This amount is expected to be expended in full during the year to 31 March 2025.
## **The Hedley Foundation**
The Hedley Foundation grant represents the grant income to be used for dance sessions and family events/outings during the year to 31 March 2025.
## **The Boshier- Hinton Foundation**
The Boshier- Hinton Foundation represents the amount of grant income which has been specifically received to finance dance sessions and family events/outings during the year to 31 March 2025.
## **Henry Smith Charity**
The Henry Smith Charity grant represents the amount of grant income which has been specifically received to finance the salary of one staff member.
## **Dromintee Trust**
The Dromintee Fund represents the amount of grant income which has been specifically received to finance the salary of one employee. This amount is expected to be expended in full during the year to 31 March 2025.
## **The Gordon Trust**
The Gordon Trust represents the amount of grant income which has been specifically received to finance capital works.
continued...
Page 23
**STEPS**
**NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
## **16. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued**
## **J Reginald Corah Foundation**
The J Reginald Corah Foundation represents the amount of grant income which has been specifically received to fund equipment.
## **Postcode Lottery**
The Postcode Lottery represents the amount of grant income which has been specifically received to finance the salary of one staff member.
## **Intelligent Energy**
The Intelligent Energy grant represents the grant income for equipment, dance sessions and family events/outings during the year to 31 March 2025.
## **National Lottery Community Fund**
The National Lottery Community Fund represents the amount of grant income which has been specifically received to finance ongoing costs including salaries, utilities and trips. This amount is expected to be expended in full during the year to 31 March 2025.
## **17. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES**
There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 March 2024. Nor for the year ended 31 March 2023.
## **18. PENSION COMMITMENTS**
The charity contributes to personal pension schemes in respect of certain employees. The amount charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in respect of pension costs this year was £7,483 (2023: £6,900). The amount outstanding at the year end was £nil (2023: £nil).
Page 24
**STEPS**
## **DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
|**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS**
**Donations and legacies**
Gift aid - income tax recoverable
Grants
Donations - Rotary
Donations - British Gypsum
Donations - Thomas Shipman
Donations - Other
Donations - Rosemary Conely
Donations - A Freckingham
Donations - J Steer
Donations - P J Lester
Donations - Ashby Bowls Club
Donations - Furnley House
Donations - JKM Swimschool
Donations - Quorn Ukelele Orch
Donations - Facebook
Donations - P Curley
Donations - Just Giving
Donations - Brush Consolidated
Donations - GM Hodges
Donations - M Duke
**Other trading activities**
Hire of facilities
Steps Super Lottery
Other fundraising income
**Investment income**
Bank interest receivable
**Total incoming resources**|2024
a
£
**2,868**
**199,615**
**1,000**
**-**
**1,000**
**15,526**
**-**
**5,000**
**1,000**
**1,500**
**1,290**
**5,000**
**1,188**
**2,075**
**-**
**-**
**9,589**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**246,651**
**14,400**
**1,011**
**120**
**15,531**
**606**
**262,788**|2023
s restated
£
4,125
128,580
4,350
16,025
-
20,211
6,875
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
4,085
1,500
27,044
26,250
20,000
5,001
264,046
12,532
630
15
13,177
450
277,673|
|---|---|---|
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
Page 25
**STEPS**
## **DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
|**EXPENDITURE**
**Raising donations and legacies**
Wages
Social security
Pensions
Other fundraising expenditure
**Charitable activities**
Wages
Social security
Pensions
Rates and water
Insurance
Light and heat
Postage, stationery and telephone
Sundries
Consumables - toys, equipment, films, photos etc
Training and recruitment
Staff expenses
Repairs and renewals
Subscriptions and licences
School outings
Cleaning
IT Costs
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets
**Support costs**
**Finance**
Bank charges
**Governance costs**
Independent examiners remuneration
Professional fees
Total resources expended
**Net income**|2024
a
£
**28,855**
**2,727**
**1,443**
**581**
**33,606**
**123,494**
**5,394**
**6,040**
**1,954**
**6,003**
**2,244**
**3,113**
**565**
**2,471**
**706**
**4,345**
**10,553**
**110**
**462**
**9,003**
**4,292**
**13,888**
**194,637**
**122**
**4,356**
**10,500**
**14,856**
**243,221**
**19,567**|2023
s restated
£
30,575
3,125
1,529
246
35,475
123,717
4,965
5,371
2,036
5,577
6,459
4,410
1,293
3,779
1,511
2,129
17,886
330
1,619
8,934
3,557
14,948
208,521
163
4,116
7,737
11,853
256,012
21,661|
|---|---|---|
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
Page 26