swaca SEFTON WOMEN'S & CHILDREN'S AID (A company limited by guarantee) ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Company Registration No. 03448301 (England and Wales) Charity Registration No. 1066878
SEFTON WOMEN'S & CHILDREN'S AID (A company limited by guarantee) ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Contents Trustees' annual report Report of the Independent auditors Statement of financial activities Balance sheet Statement of cashflows Notes to the financial statements swaca Page 1-7 8-10 11 12 13 14-24
swaca SEFTON WOMEN'S & CHILDREN'S AID (A company llmited by guarantee) TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Chair's Statement Tam delighted to welcome you to the 2024-25 Sefton Women's & Children's Aid Annual report. Thank you so much for your interest in, and for taking time to look at the 2024-25 Annual Report for SWACA (Sefton Women's and Children's Ald). 2024 was also a year of tremendous hard work and ongolng pressure as our wonderful staff continue to work tirelessly and with great dedication, receiving around 2,000 new referrals a year. Some of those referrals are in need of information and signposting, but too many are in need of intense assessment and trauma informed practice within the support that our staff deliver. SWACA has introduced the only male victim's service In Sefton. As a result, the board have been giving serious thought to our name going forward, as it no Longer depicts accurately the broad range of services that we offer. In addition to those mentioned, we also have our innovative COPVA service (Child on Parent Violence and Abuse), which this year. was successful in winning a bid from Lottery funding to cover the cost of this vital service. Other services include work with children and young people who are survivors of abuse, and preventative work in education about what constitutes a healthy relationship. The new Refuge that SWACA opened late last year, with In house services, has also gone from strength to strength, and offers a safe home to women and families within self contained units. SWACA have conținued to work delivering the local authority Integrated Domestic Abuse Services in preparation for the tender bid in 2025. We were also chosen by the NHS to deliver the IRIS programme of education and support to GP practices across Sefton about domestic abuse, and significantly exceeded the performance indicators for this work. SWACA continues to grow in terms of services offered, but there remains a considerable amount of unmet need across the borough, meaning we cannot afford to stand still. My humble thanks go to all of our staff, our volunteers, and to the dedicated board of trustees, who generously give up their valuable time and bring such a wealth of expertise to the organisation. It is a great privilege to be the chals of this board. I will make no apologies for repeating my appeal from last year. We desperately need more businesses to support us, and more volunteers to fundraise for us.... could you help us? Do you take part in sport, run races where you could be sponsored, or are you good at making cakes and holding a cake sale or coffee morning to help us raise money. No matter what you do, every penny counts and helps. Jane Leather Chair of Trustees Pag
swaca SEFTON WOMEN'S & CHILDREN'S AID (A company limited by guarantee) TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 (Continued) The Charity Sefton Women's & Children's Aid is constituted as a company limited by guarantee and not having a share capital. The company is registered in England and Wales No. 03448301. The charity is registered with the Charity Commission No. 1066878. The principal governing document is the Company Memorandum and Articles of Association dated 10th October 1997, as amended by special resolution dated 20th October 2004 and special resolutlon dated 13th April 2005. Objectives and Activities The objectives of the charity are: a) to relieve poverty and distress among women, men and children who have or are currently experlencing violence and/or abuse (including those who do not live together), ex partriers, family members or anyone else with whom they have had a personal relationship currently residing in the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton, or who are normaliy resident In but temporarlly absent from the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton: b) to arrange and provide both nationally and in the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton, for exhibitions, meetings, lectures and classes relating to toples affecting such women, men and children, any monies received from outside the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton will be used in furtherance of the objects of the charity. Achievements and Performance Charitable Activities SWACA provides specialist domestic abuse support services for all adult and children/young people (aged 4/5+), victims/survivors, regardless of their gender, throughout the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton, Merseyside. SWACA works in partnership with Public, Private and Voluntary, Community and Faith (VCF) Sector partner organisations on an operational and strategic level. The main areas of charltable activity focus on the provision of holistic domestic abuse support services offering effective crisis intervention, early Intervention, ongoing casework support and preventative services. Services are provided, on a residential and non-residential basis, to enable residents of Sefton to recover from the traumatic impact of domestic abuse on their physical and mental wellbeing. Services include practical and emotional support, advocacy, advice and guidance, structured programmes of work, counselling, legal advice and parenting support. The SWACA Board has continued to evolve and develop the governance processes of the Charity, enhancing an already strong and vibrant Board, which has overseen needed organisational strategic and operational growth over the past few years, responding to unmet domestic abuse support needs. Services Overview 2024/25 has continued to be a year of significant service demand, with domestic abuse, nationally and locally, remaining at high levels and increasing in individual case complexity, and levels of trauma experienced. Violence against women and girls, alongside the continued pressures of cost-of-living, and emerging new trends in abusive behaviours, has created a challenging and complex service delivery environment, (affecting all genders). Merseyside, similar to other geographical regions, continues to experience significantly high levels of risk, relating to lived experience of domestic abuse, for all victims/survivors. SWACA has continued to receive highly valued financial support from a range of stakeholders/funders, including Sefton MBC and NHS Cheshire/Merseyside and a range of grant-making bodies, and continues generating shop and student-placement income, and Income through fundralsing activities. During 2024/25, SWACA has continued to host the Sefton Domestic Abuse Service (SDAS), commissioned by Sefton MBC, ahead of an open competitive tendering process to take place during 2025/26. SDAS Involves a range of services, introduced through a nationally recognised Coordinated Community Response model, including a centralised domestic abuse support Helpline for all victims/survivors, friends and family and professionals seeking advice and guidance relating to domestic abuse (In Sefton), community drop-ins, access to counselling/therapy, healthy relationship education programmes and trauma- informed 1:1, and groupwork, support programmes. In addition, in December 2023, SWACA, in partnership with One Vision Housing, and commissioned by Setton MBC, opened a brand-new purpose-designed, and 24-hour staffed, refuge, (EVA House), for women and children, in Sefton. EVA House has 5 self-contained units, with communal facilities, and has remalned fully occupied during 2024/25, supporting 24 adult women and 44 children/young people since the opening of the refuge. Page 2
swaca SEFTON WOMEN'S & CHILDREN'S AID (A company limited by guarantee) TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 (Continued) As a summary, SWACA services provided during 2024/25 include: • SDAS Helpline Response / Assessment Service • SDAS Drop-In Services • SDAS / SWAGA Adults Team Services - 1:1 and Group Work support • SWAGA Children's Team Services - 1:1 and Group Work • SWACA staff co-located with the Sefton (Children's Services) multi-agency Integrated Front Door • SWACA Chlld on Parent Violence / Abuse (CoPVA) Service • Sefton IRIS (Primary Care focused) Programme • Counselling/Therapy Services • Legal Surgeries in partnership with Morecrofts Solicitors • Strategic representation (for domestic abuse) on multi-agency Partnerships and Forums SWACA has continued to locate within our Bootle (owned) office, and through a rented second office premises, in Southport, (established to improve access to our services in north Sefton, and to strengthen our links with key partner agencies and the communities of north Sefton). During 2024/25, the Southport office location moved to The Engine Rooms in Wayfarers Arcade. SWACA has continued to deliver a successful Child on Parent Violence/Abuse (CoPVA) service, funded by the National Lottery, throughout 2024/25. This service which has experienced continually rising demand for support since commencing in 2020. We have also continued to work in partnership with a very experlenced Psychotherapist, and with SWAN Women's Centre, to provide a comprehensive Counselling/Therapy Service for service users, and we have developed our successful male victims/survivors service In Sefton, (launched in April 2022), and strengthened our offer for gender diverse Individuals. SWACA staff have also continued to engage with a wide variety of multi-agency meetings, both strategic and operational, Including famlly safeguarding/child protection meetings, adult safeguarding meetings, and Sefton Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conferences (MARAC). We have been regularly involved In multi- agency interventions where domestic abuse Is Identified. During 2024/25, SWACA has been a regular participant in all Sefton-related Domestic Homicide Reviews, regardless of any direct involvement as a service provider. SWACA staff have also continued to engage with other relevant safeguarding-related case reviews, where domestic abuse has been identified as a relevant theme/issue. Sefton Domestic Abuse Service (SDAS) As highlighted above, from November 2023, the new SDAS, established to develop a more integrated approach to supporting victims/survivors of domestic abuse in Sefton, become fully operational. Through SDAS, during 2024/25 SWACA undertook the following service journey support activities, alongside providing partner agency educational support: • Promoting the new SDAS service across Sefton; • Responding to all new referrals and calls channelled through the SDAS Helpline, (including the integration of well-established referral pathways with Merseyside Police and other local partners); • Providing a range of community-located Drop-Ins across the borough of Sefton including specialised safe spaces for fernale, male and LGBT+ victim/survivor communities; • Undertaking Immediate risk, and needs, assessments, to fully understand the experlences of all domestic abuse victims/survivors in Sefton requiring support; • Following assessments, identifying the most appropriate service pathways, including access to SWACA adult and children's/young person's caseworkers and/or partner agency services, to ensure robust, person-centred support for the service user recovery journey; - Providing service user access to therapy and Counselling services, in partnership with SWAN Women's Centre and an experienced (external/self- employed) Psychotherapist; • Providing multi-agency learning development/training relating to a wide range of domestic abuse themes and issues; and • Undertaking Healthy Relationship educational activities in Schools within Sefton. Sefton IRIS Programme During 2024/25, SWACA, following the securing of funding to deliver the nationally recognised IRIS programme in Sefton, and supported by staff from the local NHS (and Sefton MBC), delivered a very successful Sefton IRIS Programme. This programme focused on working intensively with Primary Care to enhance GP responses to primarily adult female, (but with signposting mechanisms for all genders), victims/survivors of domestic abuse. The Sefton IRIS Programme ran for 12 months from April 2024 to March 2025, supporting over 20 GP Practices and over 90 new adult female victims/survivors (in Sefton), Page 3
swaca SEFTON WOMEN'S & CHILDREN'S AID (A company limited by guarantee) TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 (Continued) Students During 2024/25, SWACA has continued to enhance the human, Intellectual and financial resources within the organisation by offering high qually placements for Student Social Workers from a variety of universities, and we have continued developing new partnerships with Liverpool John Moores University, and Merseyside Police, to host visits from new Police Officers undertaking formal training. We strongly support social work/policing education and believe SWACA is a very positive placement opportunity for student professionals. Charity Shop In addition to being a key strand within our income generation/fundraising strategy, the Charity Shop Is ous reception area, providing anonymity for those service users attending Knowsley Road. The volunteers ensure that the atmosphere is happy and welcoming, and the shop, which Is very low-priced and popular and provides a service to the focal community. We continue to work hard to secure further shop volunteers. Summary Statistics During 2024/25, SWACA received just over 2,662 referrals for support for residents in Sefton experiencing/affected by domestic abuse. We directly supported 901 individual adults and 467 children/young people (victims/survivors) service users, through a mixture of 1:1, group work and counselling-based support services. Financial Review Investment Policy and Objectives The Charity's investment policy is currently to hold any reserves on deposit. Reserves Policy The Trustees have established a policy, out of prudence, whereby funds not committed or invested in tangible fixed assets of the Charlty should be reserved in a specific contingency fund due to uncertainties around funding over the coming year and a budgeted shortfali. Designated funds consisted of a building fund of £216,924 which related to grants given to SWACA and fully spent in prier years to build its own premises. Consequently, this fund is not available as part of the free liquid reserves of the Charity. Considerable reliance is therefore placed on grants to support the ongoing works of the Charity. The Charlty has set a policy to hold free funds equating to approximately three months' expenditure, being £75,000. The free funds of the Charity total £273,473 which is above the target level, but which are expected to reduce in future periods. The results for the year end and the Charity's financial position at the end of the year are shown in the attached financial statements.
swaca SEFTON WOMEN'S & CHILDREN'S AID (A company limited by guarantee) TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 (Continued) Reference and administrative details Charlty number: Company number: Registered office: 1066878 03448301 166 Knowsley Road, Bootle, Sefton, Merseyside, L20 4NR Our advisors Accountants: Auditors: Bankers: Solicitors: Adding Value Consultancy Ltd, Studlo 6, Bluecoat Chambers, School Lane, Liverpool, L1 3BX SB&P, Oriel House, 2-8 Orlel Road, Bootle, Liverpool, L20 7EP Natwest, 1 Liverpool Road, Crosby, Liverpool, L23 2TD Morecrofts, 2 Crown Buildings, Crosby, Liverpool, L23 5SR Directors and trustees The directors of the charitable company (the charity) are its trustees for the purposes of charity law. The trustees and officers serving during the year and since the year-end were as follows: Trustees J Leather P Stubbs S Smith A Matthews M Wootton TKeelan P Morgan C Williams M Bowness A Pertigo M Creed C Elwoad Chair of Trustees Vice Chair Resigned 19 March 2025 Company secretary: N Frackelton Page
swaca SEFTON WOMEN'S & CHILDREN'S AID (A company limited by guarantee) TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 (Continued) Structure, Governance and Management Governing Document Sefton Women's & Children's Ald is a company limited by guarantee governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association dated 10th October 1997, as amended by special resolution dated 20th October 2004 and special resolution dated 13th April 2005. It (s registered with the Charity Commission. Anyone over the age of 18 can become a member of the Company and there are currently 12 members (10 in 2023), each of whom agrees to contribute £1 in the event of the charity winding up. Sefton Women's and Children's Aid (SWACA) founded in 1975, is a registered charity which was Incorporated on the 10th of October 1997. The Charity provides free and confidential services to women, young people and children, who are survivors of domestic abuse who are resident in the Borough of Sefton. Appointment of trustees Under Its Articles of Association, the trustees may appalnt a person who is willing to act as director, either to fill a vacancy or as an additional Trustee, provided that the appointment does not cause the number of Trustees to exceed 16. Trustees are not required to retire by rotation. Organisation The board has entrusted all operational matters to the Chief Executive and bls management team, who in tum, report back to the Board on a quarterly basis. The Chief Executive is supported by four sub-groups, members of which are appointed from the Board of Trustees for their appropriate skills. Governance The Charlty ensures that there are adequate Trustees with a diversity of skills and invite observers and advisors to their meetings in order to maintaln diversity. The Trustees Identify their own training needs and structures are In place to ensure a proactive approach. Training in governance has been undertaken. External The Charity continues to develop a multi-agency approach and maintains a high profile within the local community, thus ensuring the Charlty is sensitive to the community's needs together with raising its own profile. Risk Management The trustees have a risk management strategy which comprises: • an annual review of the principal risks and uncertainties that the charity faces; • the establishment of policies, systems and procedures to mitigate those risks identified in the annual review; and • the implantation of procedures designed to minimise or manage any potential impact on the charity should those risks materialise. This work has identified that financial sustalnability Is the major financial risk for both the charity and its subsidiary. A key element in the management of financlal risk is a regular review of avaltable liquid funds to settle debts as they fall due, regular lialson with the bank and active management of trade debtors and creditors balances to ensure sufficient working capital by the charity. Attention has also been focused on non-financial risks arising from fire, health and safety of service users, food hygiene. These risks are managed by ensuring accreditation is up to date, having robust policies and procedures in place, and regular awareness training for staff working in these operational areas. Page
swaca SEFTON WOMEN'S & CHILDREN'S AID (A company limited by guarantee) TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 (Continued) Trustees' Responsibilities The trustees; who are also the directors of Sefton Women's & Children's Aid for the purpose of company law, are responsible for preparing the trustees' report and the 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 financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affalrs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that year. In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are required to: 1) select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; 2) observe the methods and principles on the Charitles SORP; 3) make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; 4) state whether applicable UK accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and 5) prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business. The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companles Act 2006. They are also responsible for the safeguarding of the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud or other irregularities. The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and Integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable company's website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions. This report was approved by the board of trustees and signed on their behalf by: J Leather Chair of Trustees Dat Yone heatner 17-9-25
swaca SEFTON WOMEN'S & CHILDREN'S AID (A company limited by guarantee) REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDIȚORS TO THE MEMBERS OF SEFȚON WOMEN'S & CHILDREN'S AID Opinion We have audited the financial staterents of Sefton Women's & Children's Aid (the 'charitable company') for the year ended 31 March 2025 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Statement of Financial Position, the Statement of 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). In our opinion the financial statements: give a true and fair view of the state of the charitable company's affairs as at 31 March 2025 and of Its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the year then ended; have beer properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006. Basis for opinion We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibitities under those standards are further described in the Auditors' responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements sectlon of our report. We are independent of the charitable company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, Including the FRC's Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilties 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 conditlons that, individually or collectively, may cast signlficant doubt on the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are 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. Other Information The trustees are responsible for the other information. The other informatlon comprises the information included in the Annual Report, other than the financial statements and our Report of the Independent Auditors thereon. Our opinion on the financial staternents 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 materlally Inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtalned in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such materlal inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. 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 directors' report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and - the directors' report has 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 charitable company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not Identified material misstatements in the Report of the Trustees. We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you it, in our opinion: - adequate accounting records have not been kept or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited byus; 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 received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or - the trustees were not entitled to take advantage of the small companies exemption from the requirement to prepare a Strategic Report or in preparing the Report of the Trustees. Page 8
swaca SEFTON WOMEN'S & CHILDREN'S AID (A company ilmited by guarantee) REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS TO THE MEMBERS OF SEFTON WOMEN'S & CHILDREN'S AID (Continued) Responsibllities of trustees As explained more fully in the Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities, the trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that theygive a true and fairvlew, and for such internal control as the trustees determine Is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charitable company's abillty 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 charitable company 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 a Report of the Independent Auditors that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below: The objectives of our audit are to identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements due to fraud or error; to obtaln sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the assessed risks of material misstatement due to fraud or error; and to respond appropriately to those risks. Owing to the inherent limitations of an audit, there is an unavoidable risk that material misstatements in the financial staterments may not be detected, even though the audit is properly planned and performed in accordance with the ISAs (UK). In identifying and assessing risk of material misstatement In respect of Irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations, our procedures included the following: - We obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks applicable to the charitable company and the sector In which it operates. We determined that the following laws and regulations were most significant: - The Companies Act 2006 - UK corporate tax laws - UK employment laws - UK health and safety regulations - Charities Act 2011 - We assessed the susceptibility of the charitable company's financial statements to materiality misstatement, Including how fraud might occur. Audit procedures performed by the audit engagement team included: - Identifying the controls that management has in place to prevent and detect fraud; - challenging assumptions and judgements made by management in its significant accounting estimates; - auditing the risk of management override of controls, Including through testing journal entries and other adjustments for appropriateness, and evaluating the business rationale of significant transactions outside the normal course of business; - assessing the extent of compliance with the relevant laws and regulations. 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 Report of the Independent Auditors. Page
swaca SEFTON WOMEN'S & CHILDREN'S AID (A company limited by guarantee) STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Use of our report This report is made solely to the charitable company's members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 ofPart 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company's members those matters we are required to state to them In an auditors' report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsiblity to anyone other than the charitable company and the charitable company's members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed. Suzanne Draper FCCA ACA (Senlor Statutory Auditor) for and on behalf of SB&P Chartered Accountants & Statutory Auditors Oriel House 2/8 Oriel Road Bootle Merseyside 107EP 18/9/25. Date: Page 10
swaca SEFTON WOMEN'S & CHILDREN'S AID (A company limited by guarantee) STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Note income: Donations and legacies Charitable activities Other trading activities Total Income Expenditure: Raising funds •Charitable activities Total Expenditure Unrestricted funds 2025 67,812 59,561 40,701 168,074 37,962 107,757 145,719 22,355 Restricted funds 2025 1,931 972,194 974,125 Total • funds 2025 69,743 1,031,755 40,701 1,142,199 37,962 1,156,864 1,194,826 (52,627) Total funds 2024 46,483 1,031,544 37,430 1,115,457 Net income/(expenditure) and net Reconcitiation of funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward 468,042 490,397 1,049,107 1,049,107 (74,982) 148,688 73,706 616,730 564,103 The statement of Financial Activities also complies with the requirements for an income and expenditure account under the Companies Act 2006. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities: 26,832 994,889 1,021,721 . 93,736 522,993 616,730 Pag
swaca SEFTON WOMEN'S & CHILDREN'S AID (A company limited by guarantee) Company Registration No. 03448301 BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH 2025 2025 2024 Fixed assets Intangible assets Tangible assets Notes 10 11 14,800 207,000 14,800 211,500 221,800 226,300 Current assets Stocks Debtors Cash at bank and in hand 12 13 14 Labilities Creditors: Arounds falling due within one year Net current assets Total assets less current liabllities Net Assets Funds of the charity Designated Funds General Fund Total Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Total charity funds 15 23,474 57,817 339,480 420,771 78,468 17,155 197,090 229,038 • 443,283 52,853 342,303 564,103 564,103 216,924 273,473 490,397 73,706 564,103 390,430 616,730 616,730 221,424 246,618 468,042 148,688 616,730 These financial statements have been prepared in accordarice with the provisions applicable to charitable companies subject to the small companies regime. The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue o................................nd were signed on its behalf by: Trustee Date: 17-9-25 Tkreela T Keelan Treasurer Date: 17-9-25 Page 12
swaca SEFTON WOMEN'S & CHILDREN'S AID (A company limited by guarantee) Company Registration No. 03448301 STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 2025 2024 Notes Operating activities Net movement in funds Adjustments for: Depreciation Decrease/(increase) in stock Decrease/(increase) in debtors Increase/(decrease) in creditors Net cash generated from operations Cash generated by investing activities Purchase of intanglble asset (52,627) 93,737 4,500 (6,319) 139,273 25,615 4,500 (1,887) (152,643) 35,227 110,442 (21,066) (2,400) Increase/(decrease) In cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year Cash and cash equivalents at end of year 110,442 229,038 339,480 (23,466) 252,504 229,038 The notes on pages 14-24 form part of these financial statements Page 13
swaca SEFTON WOMEN'S & CHILDREN'S AID (A company limited by guarantee) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 1 Accourting policies 1a Basis of preparation The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Chartles: 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 2015) - (Charlties SORP (FRS 102)), and the Companies Act 2006 and the UKGenerally Accepted Accounting Practice as it applles from 1 January 2015. Sefton Women's & Children's Ald meets the definltion of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabllitles are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated In the relevant accounting policy note. The accounts have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a true and fair view. This departure has involved following the Statement of Recommended Practice for Charities applying FRS 102 rather than the version of the Statement of Recommended Practice, which is referred to in the Regulations, but which has since been withdrawn. The functional currency used by Sefton Women's & Children's Ald Is the E Sterling. 1b Reconciliation with previous Generally Accepted Accounting Practice In preparing the accounts, the trustees have considered whether in applying the accounting policies required by FRS 102 and the Charitles SORP FRS 102 the restatement of comparative items was required. There were no items as at the transition date which required restatement under FRS 102. Ic Preparation of the accounts on a going concern basis It is the opinton of the Trustees that the Charity can continue to perform its duties and meet its liabilities for at least the 12 months following signature of these financial statements. Whilst the Trustees are aware of funding cuts in the sector, they are somewhatreassured by the current level of funding bids in progress. The Trustees are however cautlous about the future and continue to meet regularly to discuss the financial stability of the Charity, to act quickly to stabllise any potential problems. 1d Income Income is recognised when the charlty has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the Items) of income have been met, it is probably that the income will be received, and the amount can be measured reliably. Income from government and other grants, whether 'capital' grants or 'revenue' grants, Is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the items) of income have been met, It is probably that the Income will be received, and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred. For legacies, entitlement is taken as the earlier of the date on which elther: the charity is aware that probate has been granted, the estate has been finalised and notification has been made by the executor(s) to the Trust that is a distribution will be made, or when a distribution is received from the estate. Receipt of a legacy, In whole or in part, is only considered probable when the amount can be measured reliably, and the charity has been notified of the executor's Intention to make a distribution. Where legacies have been notified to Sefton Women's & Children's Aid, or Sefton Women's & Children's Aid is aware of the granting of probate, and the criteria for income recognition have not been met, then the legacy is treated as a contingent asset and disclosed, if materlal. Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the bank. Dividend income is recognised when the right to receive payrent Is established, usually when the Investment is declared ex-dividend. Page 14
swaca SEFTON WOMEN'S & CHILDREN'S AID (A company limited by guarantee) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 1e Deferred income . Income from donations and grants, including capital grants are deferred when the following conditions are met: a) when donors specify that donatlons and grants given to the charity must be used in future accounting periods, the income is deferred untll those periods b) when donors impose conditions which have to be fulfilled before the charity becomes entitled to use such income, the income is deferred and not Included in incoming resources until the preconditions for use have been met. 1f Donated services and facilities Donated professional services and donated facilities are recognised as income when the charity has control over the item, any conditions associated with the donated item have been met, the receipt of economic benefit from the use by the charity of the item is probably and the economic benefit can be measured reliably. In accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102), the general volunteer time is not recognised and refer to the trustees' annual report for more information about their contribution. On receipt, donated professional services and donated facilities are recognised on the basis of the value of the gift to the charlty which is the amount the charity would have been w/lling to pay to obtain services or facilities of equivalent economic benefit on the open market; a corresponding amount is then recognised in expenditure in the period of receipt. Donated goods - All donated goods are valued by the trustees at a pre determined sale price for each category. Stock at the year-end is valued at the pre determined stock price. 1g Expenditure Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, It is probably that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure Is classified under the following activity headings: Support service to victims of domestic abuse a) Costs of ralsing funds comprise the costs of commercial trading and their associated support costs. b) Expenditure on charitable activities Includes the costs of performances, exhibitions and other educational activities undertaken to further the purposes of the charlty and their associated support costs. c) Other expenditure represents those Items not falting into any other heading. Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred. 1h Allocation of support costs Support costs are those functions that assist the work of the charity but do not directly undertake charitable activities. Support costs include back- office costs, finance, personnel, payroll and governance costs which support the charities programmes and activities. These costs have been allocated between cost of raising funds and expenditure on charitable activities. The bases on which support costs have been allocated are set out in the notes below. Page 15
swaca SEFTON WOMEN'S & CHILDREN'S AID (A company limited by guarantee) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 1i Funds Accounting All income and expenditure together with gains and losses are allocated to a specific charitable fund Unrestricted funds are avallable to spend on activities that further any of the purposes of the charity. Designated funds are unrestricted funds of the charity which the trustees have decided at their discretion to set aside to use for a specific purpose. Further details of designated funds together with their purpose are set out in note 15, Restricted funds are donations which the donor has specified are to be used solely for particular areas of the charity's work or for specific projects being undertaken by the charity. Further details of restricted funds together with their purposes are setout in note 16. Endowment funds are resources received by the charlty which represent capital, which can be held as either a permanent or expendable endowment. Permanent endowments are where the trustees have no power to convert it into Income and apply it to the charltable objectives. Expendable endowment Is distinguishable from income funds in that there is no requirement to spend or apply the capital unless, or until the trustees decide to do so. Further details of endowment funds together with their purposes are set out in the notes below. 1| Intangible fixed assets and amoritsation Intangible assets are application development costs that Is stated at cost less accumulated amortisation and any accumulated impairment losses. It will be amortised over its estimated life using the straight-line method once the app development is finalised. If there is an Indication that there has been a significant change in amortisation rate, useful life or residual value of an intangible asset, the amortisation is revised prospectively to reflect the new expectations. 1k Tangible fixed assets and depreclation Tangible assets are stated at cost (or deemed cost) less accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses. Cost includes the original purchase price, costs directly attributable to bringing the asset into its working condition for Its intended use, dismantling and restoration costs and borrowing costs capitalised. Land and buildings comprises the freehold office and community centre at Knowsley Road, Bootle. The fair value of the property has been arrived at on the hasis of a valuation carried out on 3rd August 2021 by RJ Hodgkiss BSc FRICS of SK Real Estate Chartered Surveyors, who are not connected with the company. The valuation was made on an open market value basis by reference to market evidenceof transaction prices for similar properties. The Trustees monitor valuations annually as detailed in note 11. The difference between depreciation based on the deemed cost charged in the Statement of FinancialActivities and the assets orginal cost is transferred from revaluation reserve to the fixed asset fund. Plant and machinery and fixtures, fittings, tools, and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and accumulated Impairment losses. Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write each asset off over its anticipated useful economic life. A full year's depreclation charge Is charged in the year of acquisition and no depreciation is charged in the year of disposal. Freehold land Freehold buildings Plant and machinery Fixtures and fittings No depreciation is charged 2% pa on cost 33% pa on cost 25% pa on cost Subsequent costs are included in the assets carrying amount or recognised as a separate asset, as approprate, only when It Is probably that economic benefits associated with the item will flow to the charitable company and the cost can be measured rellably. Repairs, maintenance and minor inspection costs are expensed as incurred. Tangible assets are derecognised on disposal or when no future economic benefits are expected. On disposal, the difference between the net disposal proceeds and the carrying amount Is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities. Page 16
swaca SEFTON WOMEN'S & CHILDREN'S AID (A company limited by guarantee) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 1l Debtors Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepared net of any trade discounts due. im Cash at bank and in hand Cash at bank and cash in hand ircludes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or simitar account: 1n Creditors and provisions Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due. 1o Taxation The charity is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or section 252 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects. 1p Pension costs The company operates a defined contribution plan for its eligible employees. A defined contribution plan is apension plan under which the charity pays fixed contributions into a separate entity. Once the contributions have been pald the charity has no further payment obligations. The contributions are recognised as an expense when they are due. Amounts not paid are shown in creditors or accruals in the balance sheet. The assets of the plan are held separately from the charity in independently administered funds. 2. Donations 2025 2024 Donations and legacies Gift Aid 65,743 4,000 69,743 46,483 46,483 Page 17
SEFTON WOMEN'S & CHILDREN'S AID (A company limited by guarantee) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) FORTHE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 3. Charitable activity income Sefton MBC Refuge National Lottery COPVA OPCC DA NHS Cheshire Merseyside IRIS Albert Gubay Giothworkers Foundation Steve Morgan Foundation John Moores Vola Women's Ald Future Fund Screwix Foundation SCVS National Lottery Reach Communities Children In Need Rathbone Eleanor Rathbone Pilkington Other Unsecured Income from charitable activities has been applied to the following activities: 2025 € Support service to victims of domestic abuse 4. Other trading activity income 2025 Fundraising events Shop income Student Placements Training delivery / Guest speaking Other Income 20,279 17,542 2,880 40,701 5. Expenditure on raising funds 2025 Fundraising costs 500 Club Page 18 36,915 1,047 37,962 swaca 2024 510,110 141,300 71,000 55,174 17,536 51,631 26,619 6,000 3,740 95,085 14,899 5,000 4,000 4,000 25,450 2024 € 1118495 205 37,430 2024 26,102 730 26,832
swaca SEFTON WOMEN'S & CHILDREN'S AID (A company limited by guarantee) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 6. Charltable activities expenditure Support service to victims of domestic abuse Support Costs € 73,137 73,137 Total 2025 1,156,863 1,156,863 Total 2024 994,889 994,889 7. Staff costs Wages and Salaries Social Security costs Pension costs The average number of employees during 2025 was: Direct charitable activities Management and administration • 2025 798,149 63,730 13,960 875,839 2025 •Number 29 3 32 2024 € 656,505 51,464 11,032 2024 Number 25 3 28 There were no employees who had total remuneration benefits in excess of £60,000 per annum (2024: none). The trustees received no remuneration during the year (2024: Enil). The trustees did not receive any expenses during the year (2024: Enil). 8. Key management personnel The trustees consider that the key management personnel comprise the trustees and the Senior Management Team on the signing date as follows:- Trustees J Leather P Stubbs S Smith A Matthews M Wootton TKeelan P Morgan C Williams A Perrigo C Elwood M Bowness M Creed Resigned 19 March 2025 Senior Management Team Chief Executive - N Frackelton Page
swaca SEFTON WOMEN'S & CHILDREN'S AID (A company limited by guarantee) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 9. Net income for the year Net income Is stated after charging: Depreciation 2025 4,500 2024 € 4,500 10. Intanglble fixed assets Cost / Valuation At 1 AprIl 2024 At 31 March 2025 11. Tangible fixed assets Software Development 14,800 14,800 Fixtures & Equipment Total 14,800 14,800 Cost/Valuation At 1 April 2024 At 31 March 2026 Depreciation At 1 April 2024 Charge for the year At 31 March 2025 Net Book Amounts At 31 March 2025 At 31. March 2024 Freehold Land & Buildings € Plant & Machinery 225,000 225,000 13,500 4,500 18,000 207,000 211,500 1,361 1,361 1,361 1,361 34,884 34,884 34,884 34,884 Total 261,245 261,245 49,745 4,500 54,245 207,000 211,500 Land and buildings comprises the freehold office and community centre at Knowsley Road, Bootle. The fair value of the property has been arrived at on the basis of a valuation carried out at 3rd August 2021 by RJ Hodgkiss BSc FRICS of SK Real Estates Chartered Surveyors, who are not connected with the company. The valuation was made on an open market value basis by reference to market evidence of transaction prices for similar properties. The Trustees review this valuation annually and at the balance sheet date are of the opinion that the revalued amount remalns relevant when comparing to nearby properties and when taking into account the current economic climate. Page 20
SEFTON WOMEN'S & CHILDREN'S AID (A company limited by guarantee) NOTES TỌ THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 12. Stocks Donated goods 13. Debtors Amounts falling due within one year Trade debtors Prepayments and accrued income 14. Cash at bank and in hand Cash at bank Cash in hand 15. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year Trade creditors Ottier taxes and social security Accruals and deferred Income 2025 23,474 2025 2,400 55,417 57,817 2025 339,180 300 339,480 2025 1,232 18,566 58,670 78,468 16. Unrestricted funds General Fund Designated Funds Fixed Asset Fund Shop Refit SWACA Welfare Fund Total Funds (previous year) 2023 118,775 216,000 3,481 6,443 344,699 Income 163,976 561 164,537 Expenditure (36,133) (4,500) (561) (41,194) Funds Page 21 swaca 2024 17.158 2024 133,633 63,457 197,090 2024 228,848 190 229,038 2024 f 21,595 16,661 14,597 52,853 2024 211,500 3,481 6,443 468,042
SEFTON WOMEN'S & CHILDREN'S AID (A company limited by guarantee) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 17. Restricted funds Other restricted funds Total Funds (previous year) Otherrestricted funds Total Funds (current year) Other Funds Albert Gubay Canal & River Trust Clothworkers Foundation Eleanor Rathbone IRIS John Moores National Lottery COPVA OPCC DA Rathbone Refuge SCVS SMBC-DA App SMBC-MOJ COPVA SMBC-SDAS Sefton CVS UKSPF SMBC-SWAN Steve Morgan Vola Women's Aid Future Fund Balance Brought Forward 2024 246,618 211,500 3,481 6,443 468,042 Balance Brought Forward 2023 178,294 178,294 Batanice Brought Forward 2024 148,688 148,688 1. 88.5. 15 148,690 Transfers Between Funds income 167,598 476 168,074 Expenditure (140,743) (4,500) (476) (145,719) Expenditure (980,526) (980,526) Expenditure (1,049,107) (1,049,107) (29,068) (15,381) (2,667) (62,309) (10,000) (54,868) (71,000) (3,333) (202,695) (3,015) (24,3011) (535,468) (1,318) (5,000) (12,000) (8,984) (7,700) (1,049,107) •Funds Funds 974,125 Page 22 swaca Forward 2025 273,473 207,000 3,481 6,443 490,397 Forward 2024 148,688 Forward 2025 73,706 73,706 3,113 27,059 23,536 20,000 73,708
swaca SEFTON WOMEN'S & CHILDREN'S AID (A company limited by guarantee) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Restricted Grants: 1. Albert Gubay: Grant from the Albert Gubay Charitable Foundation contributed to salaries for the children'steam. 2. Canal & River Trust: Funding provided for walking groups and Couch to 5k sessions along the canal towpath between Aintree and Bootle for SWACA service users. 3. Clothworkers Foundation: Support for SWAN services offered to SWACA users, funded through Sefton MBC and The Clothworkers Foundation. 4. Eleanor Rathbone: Grant from the Eleanor Rathbone Charitable Trust contributing to the salary of a specialist Assessment Caseworker. 5. IRIS: Funding through the IRIS Programme for the creation of a SWACA Advocate Educator post. 6. John Moores Foundation: Contribution towards salary costs from the John Moores Foundation. 7. National Lottery COPVA: The National Lottery Community Fund SWACA Child on Parent Violence and Abuse (CoPVA) Response Service. B. OPCC DA: Funding for one Siblings Worker and 1 Complex Caseworker, Counselling services and IT equipment, funded by Police and Crime commissioner for Merseyside. 9. Rathbone: Fundingfrom the Community Foundation for Merseyside to support a speclalist Assessment Caseworker engaging with women from Eastern European countries. 10. Refuge: Partnership with Sefton MBC to establish a refuge in Sefton. 11. SCVS: Small grant from Sefton CVS to provide winter clothing for SWACA service users. 12. Setton MBC - DA App: Funding to design and manage a domestic abuse app for service users, provided by Sefton MBC. 13. Sefton MBC-MOJ COPVA: Funding from the local authority for one Adult caseworker and one Chlldren's Worker for the CoPVA PROJECT as well as contribution towards salary costs from Police and Crime Commissioner for Merseyside. 14. Sefton MBC-SDAS: Funding for the Integrated Community Domestic Abuse Service in partnership with Sefton MBC. 15. Sefton CVS UKSPF: Small grant from Sefton CVS to provide data protection training. 16. SMBC-SWAN : Funding from Sefton MBC to cover counselling service costs for SWACA users. 17. Steve Morgan Foundation: Grant for the salary of a Fundraising Officer, provided by the Steve Morgan Foundation. 18. Vola: Sefton CVS grant for IT equipment. 19. Women's Aid Future Fund: Grant for families as a start up grant after leaving refuge. Page 23
SEFTON WOMEN'S & CHILDREN'S AID (A company limited by guarantee) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 18. Analysis of ret assets Previous year ended 31 March 2024 Fixed Assets Current Assets Current Liabilities Current year ended 31 March 2025 Fixed Assets Current Assets Current Liabilities 19. Comparitive statement of financial activities information Income Donations and legacies Comparative activities Other trading activities Total income Expenditure on Raising funds Charitable activities Net (expenditure)/income Net movement in funds 246,618 246,618 Designated Funds 211,500 9,924 221,424 € 273,473 273,473 Designated Funds 207,000 9,924 216,924 Unrestricted Funds 46,483 80,624 37,430 164,537 26,832 14,362 41,194 123,343 123,343 Page 24 Funds Funds 14,800 73.706 Funds 950,920 950,920 980,526 980,526 (29,606) (29,606) swaca Total Funds 226,300 443,283 (52,853) 616,730 Total Funds 221,800 420,771 (78,468) 564,103 Total Funds 46,483 37,430 Well Ha.st 26,832 994,888 93,737 93.737