OpenCharities

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

2024-03-31-accounts

Coram Intercountry Adoption Centre Ltd

Annual Report and Financial Statements

Period ended 31 March 2024

Company Limited by Guarantee Registration Number 03344762 (England and Wales)

Charity Registration Number 1067313

Contents

Reports

Reports
Reference and administrative details 1
Chair’s statement 3
Report of the Trustees 4
Independent auditor’s report 14
Financial statements
Statement of financial activities 19
Balance sheet 20
Statement of cash flows 21
Principal accounting policies 22
Notes to the financial statements 26
Appendix
Comparative statement of
financial activities 32
Comparative notes to the
financial statements 33

Coram Intercountry Adoption Centre Ltd

Reference and administrative details

Patron Her Majesty The Queen Trustees Anastasia Ansell Pascale Erseel David Gray Barbara Hudson James McDougall Padmini Mistry Gabrielle Shaw Company Secretary Dr Carol Homden CBE Senior Management Team Managing Director Ms. Irene Levine Company Registration Number 03344762 (England and Wales) Charity Registration Number 1067313 Registered office 120 Cockfosters Road Barnet EN4 0DZ Auditor Buzzacott LLP 130 Wood Street London EC2V 6DL

Coram Intercountry Adoption Centre Ltd 1

Reference and administrative details

Bankers CAF Bank Limited 25 Kings Hill Avenue Kings Hill West Malling Kent ME19 4JQ Metro Bank One Southampton Row London WC1B 5HA Tsesnabank Karagandinskiy Branch 7/4 Chkalova St. Karaganda Kazakhstan Cash Plus Bank Cottons Centre, Cottons Lane, London, SE1 2QG

Coram Intercountry Adoption Centre Ltd 2

Chair’s Statement Period to 31 March 2024

This period has been characterised by the work to realise the benefits of Coram Intercountry Adoption Centre of joining the Coram group of charities following a period of acute pressure on our capacity and resources.

Integrating systems and gaining from the support of central services, Coram IAC has been able to focus on the vital work of supporting adopters and advancing practice to ensure that the challenges facing intercountry adopters and the children they adopt are met.

The complexity of international adoption and the growing awareness of cultural identity and heritage support means that the specialist expertise of Coram IAC has never been more needed in both the UK and global context.

This has been demonstrated by our ground-breaking conference on intersectional needs when we hosted the EurAdopt community of organisations, the first time it has been held in the UK.

In April 2024 we had an Ofsted inspection, the first since 2020. I am very pleased to report that we have again been judged outstanding in all three categories. We have a proud record of being judged outstanding four times in a row covering ten years

Ensuring the consistent high quality of such specialist support is only possible because of the dedication and skill of our social workers, panel members and trustees and the support and trust of regional adoption agency colleagues who trust us to deliver their service.

It is with sadness that our long standing Trustee Nick Sieve has had to step down due to ill health. We are very fortunate to have benefitted from his advice and wisdom, especially during the changes to the organisation over the last couple of years. Thank you Nick.

I am delighted to welcome two new trustees to the board as we look to the future with confidence and commitment as we play our full part in the international and national community of adoption agencies and contribute to the vision of the Coram group to ensure better chances for children, now and forever.

Barbara Hudson Chair of Trustees

Coram Intercountry Adoption Centre Ltd 3

Report of the Trustees Period to 31 March 2024

The Trustees, who are the directors for company law purposes, present their report and financial statements of Coram Intercountry Adoption Centre (Coram IAC) for the nine month period ended 31 March 2024.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out on pages 22 to 25 and comply with the charitable company’s Memorandum and Articles of Association, applicable law and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice (the Charities SORP) applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).

This report has been prepared in accordance with Part VIII of the Charities Act 2011.

Scope of the financial statements

The annual report and financial statements are in respect to Coram IAC as a stand-alone charity only.

Coram IAC is part of the Coram Group. The Thomas Coram Foundation for Children (Coram), Registered Charity No. 312278, which is the ultimate controlling party, consolidates the financial statements of Coram IAC with its own and those of other group members.

Intercountry Adoption Centre (IAC), T/A IAC – The Centre for Adoption, became Coram IAC, when it joined the Coram Group on 1 July 2023, retaining the same charity, Ofsted Registration and company numbers. In line with this change, the Trustees agreed to extend the previous financial period to the 30 of June 2023 to allow for a clear audit record to be in place for the end of IAC and the start of Coram IAC on the 1 of July 2023. To bring the future Trustees Reports back in line with the financial year reporting period, this report will only cover nine months for the balance of the period 2023/24. All prior period comparisons in this report are for the 15 month period 1 April 2022 to 30 June 2023.

Objectives & Activities

Coram IAC is a unique Voluntary Adoption Agency (VAA) in the UK, being the only one with a specialist and primary focus on the provision of intercountry adoption services, and the only one to have been accredited by authorities in States of origin from which children are placed.

Judged Outstanding by Ofsted in its last inspection, Coram IAC provides information, advice, preparation, assessment, and support for the general public through subscription and service level agreements with their home local authorities. Prospective adopters are provided with training and are required to undertake a number of checks and a vigorous assessment process to confirm they are suitable to adopt. Once approved they are supported through the matching and placement process with specific children from across the world, including the UK.

The charity is accredited as an Adoption Agency by the central adoption authorities of India, the Philippines and China; and has a Working Agreement with South Africa. The Agency functions as a foreign adoption partner agency in respect of these four countries. However, all work with China stopped during the pandemic and China has not resumed their special needs intercountry adoption programme. Consideration will need to be given to the continued viability of this programme during 2024/25.

Coram Intercountry Adoption Centre Ltd 4

Report of the Trustees Period to 31 March 2024

Objectives & Activities (continued)

The Programmes the Agency had with Kazakhstan and Bulgaria central authorities are now closed, due to lack of applicants wishing to adopt from these countries and with Kazakhstan, the added costs and complexities of providing the service.

Applicants are free to adopt from whichever country they choose, so long as:

Over 90% (Department for Education data) of all overseas adoptions in England are now conducted through Coram IAC. Whilst the charity is situated in England and works closely with the government of England, it has good working relationships with the governments of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Coram IAC is the lead agency in the Intercountry Regional Adoption Agency (ICRAA) for England which launched in November 2017. IAC works collaboratively under bilateral agreements with other VAAs including Adoption Matters, ARC Adoption and Nugent Adoption, to deliver intercountry adoption services across England.

Coram IAC continues to offer services to regional adoption agencies (RAAs) in England through service level agreements, and to local authorities in Wales through subscription services. The charity provides adoption support services to adoptive parents and their children directly, and through arrangements with other adoption agencies and adoption support agencies. It aims to deliver excellence across all services and during the financial year has continued to raise funds to expand these support services. This work backs the agency's ethos, adoption is for life, and so is IAC's support.

Coram IAC networks with and informs and advises relevant government departments in furtherance of its objects and in pursuit of improved services for those affected by adoption and permanence, particularly internationally. As members of CVAA UK, the consortium of voluntary adoption agencies, Coram IAC's position is strengthened through collaboration and collective voices.

Coram IAC has also forged links abroad which inform and enhance the intercountry adoption work of the Agency. Coram IAC aims to achieve the best outcomes for all children who are placed for adoption. Coram IAC is a member of the EurAdopt Council, hosted the EurAdopt Conference in April 2024.

IAC's information and advice line service for adoptive families, adopted people and adoption and permanence professionals is supported by a sound information database and appropriately qualified and experienced advisors and facilitators, some of whom have personal experience of adoption.

Coram Intercountry Adoption Centre Ltd 5

Report of the Trustees Period to 31 March 2024

Objectives & Activities (continued)

IAC's service level agreements offer the following for local authorities and regional adoption agencies:

Coram IAC's services aim to ensure that the potential life-long needs of all children placed for adoption and permanence are understood, and that the ethnic, cultural, religious and linguistic heritage of the children is fully recognised and positively valued.

The services are also informed by the outcomes of research, by practice wisdom, by the perspectives of all parties to the adoption circle and by training which the agency provides for its workforce. With almost all children being placed by IAC being of Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic backgrounds, the need to deliver services that are non-discriminatory and anti-racist is a high priority. Particular regard is given to IAC's workforce being representative of the children and families the charity seeks to serve.

Public benefit

The Trustees confirm that they have complied with the duty in section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission on determining the activities undertaken by the Charity.

Coram Intercountry Adoption Centre Ltd 6

Report of the Trustees Period to 31 March 2024

Achievements & Performance 2023-24

The period was characterised by the fulfilment of amalgamation of Coram IAC into the Coram Group. Based on a synergy of mission and values, with the joint determination to improve children’s life chances – this partnership gives the charity the opportunity to deepen and extend its impact in a setting that promotes sustainability.

The charity hosted a Coram IAC Launch Conference in October 2023, continuing the adoption reconstruction theme from 2022, the conference addressed ‘An Intersectional Approach to meeting the needs of neurodiverse adopted and looked after children from the Global Majority’.

Prior to joining the Coram Group, IAC went through substantial restructuring to reduce staffing costs. The staffing structure remains under constant review to ensure staff are supported to deliver the services to the high standard the agency is committed to provide for the adopters and their children.

This year Coram IAC introduced Signs of Safety Safeguarding Model to all staff through staff training to reinforce and provide a consistent agency wide understanding and approach to managing risk and safeguarding children, with clear expectations regarding direct work with children and their families and multi-agency working.

This is part of the ongoing work to provide a range of preparation and adoption support Services which are trauma informed and with a therapeutic approach to all our support work embedded in all our training with prospective and approved adopters. Introducing separate support groups and workshops for Kinship Carers in acknowledgement of the amplified losses these families may have experienced.

Between 1st July 2023 and 31st March 2024:

Coram Intercountry Adoption Centre Ltd 7

Report of the Trustees Period to 31 March 2024

Achievements & Performance 2023-24 (continued)

The Board of Trustees wishes to express its continuing thanks and admiration to the entire workforce, employed, sessional and volunteers, for their continued outstanding achievements.

The Leadership Team wishes to express its thanks to the Board of Trustees for their stewardship and support, to Chairs and members of our Adoption Panel, Medical & Legal Advisors and to all the central services colleagues within the Coram group and to all our RAA partners who trust the charity to deliver international adoption and permanence services on their behalf.

Risk management

The Board of Trustees has adopted a risk management protocol to assess and mitigate the major risks to which the charity is exposed. It reviews the risk register annually to assess recorded risks and any new ones, in particular, those related to the operations and finances of the charity, and ensures that systems are in place to mitigate the charity’s exposure to the major risks.

The risks, which are considered to have the highest potential impact, taking into account controls, and mitigation plans we have in place, are:

The risks were satisfactorily managed and no significant operational problems were encountered during the year.

Risk is mitigated through the following regular actions:

Financial review

During the period total income amounted to £1,408,470 (15 month period to June 2023 – £2,242,387) and expenditure totalled £1,374,795 (15 month period to June 2023 – £2,463,079). The relative increase in income was a result of increased number of adoption placements and the relative decrease in expenditure was mainly due to reduced staff costs following the charity joining the Coram Group.

Coram Intercountry Adoption Centre Ltd 8

Report of the Trustees Period to 31 March 2024

Financial review (continued)

Overall, the unrestricted funds of the charity increased by £47,175 (15 month period to June 2023 – decrease of £198,192), and restricted funds decreased by £13,500 (15 month period to June 2023 – decreased by £22,500). Details of movements in the restricted funds can be found in note 11 to the financial statements.

All Coram Intercountry Adoption Centre expenditure supports the objectives of the charity as described above.

Reserves policy

Coram Intercountry Adoption Centre aims to hold a reserve of three months budgeted expenditure as its general reserve. This will:

At 31 March 2024 our total funds stood at £(97,805) (30 June 2023 – (£131,480)) which included restricted funds of £19,730 (30 June 2023 £33,230) for expenditure on specific projects, General reserves currently stand at £(117,535), compared to a target of £450,132.

Trustees recognise the need to review reserves during 2024/25 to ensure an adequate level of reserves is achieved. Progress continues to be made towards achieving the targeted level of reserves by generating a surplus on general funds. The initial target is to eliminate the deficit on general funds within the next three to five years.

Coram IAC is in receipt of a letter of comfort from Coram, indicating that it will provide support to Coram IAC for at least 12 months from the date of approval of these financial statements. The trustees consider therefore that there are no material uncertainties affecting the charity's ability to continue and are able to conclude that is has reasonable expectation that it will be a going concern for the foreseeable future.

This policy is reviewed annually alongside the production of the annual accounts in order to:

Coram Intercountry Adoption Centre Ltd 9

Report of the Trustees Period to 31 March 2024

Future Plans

Coram IAC is committed to continue to be involved in the global agenda to modernise adoption. It shall do this through its own services and through its key stakeholder networks both in the UK and internationally.

A strong component of the work of the organisation remains around sustainability to ensure that the charity continues to remain vibrant and active and to meet evolving need and the numbers of applicants applying to adopt internationally in the UK has remained steady over the last five years.

This is in contrast to the declining numbers of intercountry adoption in other European countries, many of whom started with far higher numbers of intercountry adoptions often due to very limited domestic adoptions in their own countries.

The option of domestic adoption shall remain an offer to Coram IAC's approved intercountry adopters, who are waiting for children to be matched from abroad, where there is a potential suitable child within the UK. It is notable that all such placements have been non white children, children with special needs, sibling groups or older children.

With the voices of adopted adults being heard across the world, and the messaging being conveyed, make it imperative that adoption, as we know and understand it, evolves. Coram IAC will continue to drive understanding and best practice, and we will host the EurAdopt Conference in April 2024, the first time it has been held in the UK.

Coram IAC shall therefore continue to play a distinctive specialist leadership role exploring and advancing intersectionality in trans-national and cross-cultural families and to develop further support approaches.

Later in the 2024/25 financial year, the Charity will relocate to the Coram Campus and run a carefully targeted range of programmes which maximize impact and respond to the needs of the sectors we work across, including reaching out to new cohorts with the expertise and access provided by Coram. This relocation will also support the Charity’s financial target of reducing costs and rebuilding reserves.

Structure, governance and management

Coram Intercountry Adoption Centre is a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity. It was founded as ‘Overseas Adoption Helpline’ in 1997 and became ‘Intercountry Adoption Centre’ in 2005. On 1 July 2023, we adopted a new governing instrument in the form of revised Memorandum and Articles of Association. Intercountry Adoption Centre became part of the Coram group and our name changed to ‘Coram Intercountry Adoption Centre’.

Our governing body is a Board of Trustees. Candidates for appointment as Trustees are nominated by the Coram Nominations and Governance Committee for approval by the Boards of both Coram and Coram Intercountry Adoption Centre.

The Board of Trustees meets several times a year to ensure that Coram Intercountry Adoption Centre has a clear vision, mission and strategic direction, and to monitor that activities are focused on achieving them. The Board has oversight of our finances, plans and policies, risk management and legal and regulatory compliance.

Coram Intercountry Adoption Centre Ltd 10

Report of the Trustees Period to 31 March 2024

Structure & Governance (continued)

Day-to-day management of Coram Intercountry Adoption Centre is delegated to the Managing Director who reports to the Coram Chief Executive and is accountable to the Coram Intercountry Adoption Centre Board of Trustees.

Trustees regularly review the membership of the Board to ensure that the necessary skills and experiences are in place to allow effective governance, aiming to reflect the diversity of the UK population. The Governance was further reviewed as part of the amalgamation process, resulting in the arrangements described above.

Recruitment and training of trustees

Trustees are appointed via the Coram Nominations Committee for a four year term which is renewable for one further term. The Chair is appointed by the Coram Board from amongst their number. All new Trustees undergo an induction programme which incorporates a history of the charity, review of its work including the current challenges faced by the charity, its governance structure, and their individual roles and responsibilities and have access to development training.

Board members are drawn from a variety of professional backgrounds relevant to the work of the charity and the charity has recruited two new to enhance representation of diversity at Board level.

Trustees are also directors for the purposes of company law. The Trustees who served during the year and up to the date on which this report was approved were as follows:

Trustees Appointed/Resigned
Anastasia Ansell
Pascale Erseel appointed 19 June 2024
David Gray
Barbara Hudson (Chair)
James McDougall
Padmini Mistry appointed 19 June 2024
Gabrielle Shaw
Nicholas Sieve resigned 6 October 2024

Key management personnel

The Trustees consider that they, together with the Coram Group CEO and Coram IAC Managing Director, are the key management of the charity in charge of directing and controlling, running and operating the charity on a day to day basis.

The remuneration of key management personnel is based on an internal assessment of the scope of the individual role and an individual’s performance within that role. Internal benchmarking is conducted to ensure that remuneration levels within the Coram group are consistent for the level of responsibilities. Remuneration is agreed by the Coram Group Directors consisting of the Chief Executive, Chief Finance Officer and the Director of People and Compliance.

None of the Trustees received any remuneration in connection with their duties as Trustees or key management of the charity.

Coram Intercountry Adoption Centre Ltd 11

Report of the Trustees Period to 31 March 2024

Governance & structure (continued)

Fundraising policy

Coram Intercountry Adoption Centre is part of the Coram charitable group, and fundraising activities are undertaken and assured by the central fundraising department. As the parent charity, Coram is registered with the Fundraising Regulator and adheres to the Fundraising Code of Practice. Our Privacy Policy can be found on our website at www.coram.org.uk/privacy. There were no complaints made to Coram Intercountry Adoption Centre in the year. If you have any comments or concern, please contact fundraising@coram.org.uk.

Statement of Trustees’ responsibilities

The Trustees (who are also directors of Coram Intercountry Adoption Centre for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Report and financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Company law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year, which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the income and expenditure of the charitable company for that period.

In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Coram Intercountry Adoption Centre Ltd 12

Report of the Trustees Period to 31 March 2024

Governance & structure (continued)

Each of the Trustees confirms that:

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 confirmation is given and should be interpreted in accordance with the provisions of s418 of the Companies Act 2006.

Approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by:

Barbara Hudson Chair

Date of approval: 16[th] October 2024

Coram Intercountry Adoption Centre Ltd 13

Independent auditor’s report Period to 31 March 2024

Independent auditor’s report to the members of Coram Intercountry Adoption Centre

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Coram Intercountry Adoption Centre (the ‘charitable company’) for the nine month period ended 31 March 2024 which comprise the statement of financial activities, the balance sheet, the statement of cash flows, the principal accounting policies and the notes to the financial statements. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 ‘The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland’ (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion, the financial statements:

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the 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 responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the Trustees’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the 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.

Coram Intercountry Adoption Centre Ltd 14

Independent auditor’s report Period to 31 March 2024

Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the Annual Report and Financial Statements, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The Trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the Annual Report and Financial Statements. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether 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:

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 Trustees’ report. We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

Coram Intercountry Adoption Centre Ltd 15

Independent auditor’s report Period to 31 March 2024

Responsibilities 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 they give a true and fair view, 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 ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the Trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. 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.

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:

Our approach to identifying and assessing the risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations, was as follows:

Coram Intercountry Adoption Centre Ltd 16

Independent auditor’s report Period to 31 March 2024

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements (continued)

We assessed the susceptibility of the charitable company’s financial statements to material misstatement, including obtaining an understanding of how fraud might occur, by:

To address the risk of fraud through management bias and override of controls, we:

In response to the risk of irregularities and non-compliance with laws and regulations, we designed procedures which included, but were not limited to:

There are inherent limitations in our audit procedures described above. The more removed that laws and regulations are from financial transactions, the less likely it is that we would become aware of non-compliance. Auditing standards also limit the audit procedures required to identify non-compliance with laws and regulations to enquiry of the Trustees and other management and the inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence, if any.

Material misstatements that arise due to fraud can be harder to detect than those that arise from error as they may involve deliberate concealment or collusion.

A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.

Coram Intercountry Adoption Centre Ltd 17

Independent auditor’s report Period to 31 March 2024

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. 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 auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the 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.

Gumayel Miah (Senior Statutory Auditor) For and on behalf of Buzzacott LLP, Statutory Auditor 130 Wood Street London EC2V 6DL

Date: 27 November 2024

Coram Intercountry Adoption Centre Ltd 18

Statement of financial activities Period to 31 March 2024

(Incorporating the income and expenditure account)

Notes
Unrestricted
funds
£

13,340
7,759

747,073

640,298

1,408,470


1,361,295
1,361,295

47,175
(164,710)
(117,535)

Restricted
funds
£
Total
funds
9 months
ended 31
March
2024
£

Total
funds
15 months
ended 30
June
2023
£
45,797
3,617
1,172,074
1,012,783
8,116
2,242,387
9,736
2,453,343
2,463,079
(220,692)
89,212
(131,480)
Income from:
Donations and legacies
1
Investment income and bank interest
Charitable activities
. Services to adopters
2
. Services to professionals
2
Other sources
. Miscellaneous Income
Total income
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
. Fundraising
Charitable activities
3
Total expenditure
Net income/(expenditure) and net
movement in funds
4
Reconciliation of funds:
Total (deficit)/funds brought forward at
1 July 2023
Total (deficit)/funds carried forward at
31 March 2024



13,340
7,759
747,073
640,298
1,408,470

13,500

1,374,795
13,500 1,374,795
(13,500)
33,230

33,675
(131,480)
19,730 (97,805)

All of the charity’s activities derived from continuing operations during the above two financial periods. The charity has no recognised gains and losses other than those shown above.

A full comparative statement of financial activities is included in the appendix to these financial statements.

Coram Intercountry Adoption Centre Ltd 19

Balance sheet 31 March 2024

31 March 31 March 30 June 30 June
Notes 2024 2024 2023 2023
£ £ £ £
Fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets 6 6,799
Current assets
Debtors 7 157,789 245,408
Cash at bank and in hand 448,936 340,025
606,725 585,433
Current liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling due 8
within one year (704,530) (694,648)
Net current liabilities (97,805) (109,215)
Creditors: amounts falling due within 9 (29,064)
more than one year
Total net liabilities (97,805) (131,480)
The funds of the charity: 11
Restricted funds 19,730 33,230
Unrestricted funds: (117,535) (164,710)
Total deficit 12 (97,805) (131,480)

Approved and authorised by the Trustees of Coram Intercountry Adoption Centre, Company Registration Number 03344762 (England and Wales), and signed on their behalf by:

Barbara Hudson Chair

Date of approval: 16[th] October 2024

Coram Intercountry Adoption Centre Ltd 20

Statement of cash flows 31 March 2024

Notes
31 March
2024
£
30 June
2023
£
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities
A
Cash flows from investing activities:
Investment income and interest received
Purchase of fixed assets
Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities
Cashflows from financing activities:
Loan repayments
Net cash (used in) financing activities
Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year
Cash and cash equivalents at 1 July 2023 / 1 April 2022
B
Cash and cash equivalents at 31 March 2024 / 30 June 2023
B

128,391
(355,894)


7,759
**— **
3,617
(5,219)
7,759 (1,602)


**(27,239) **
(45,938)
**(27,239) ** (45,938)

108,911


340,025
(403,434)
743,459

448,936
340,025

Notes to the statement of cash flows for the year to 31 March 2024.

A Reconciliation of net movement in funds to net cash provided by operating activities

31 March
2024
£
30 June
2023
£
Net movement in funds (as per the statement of financial activities)
Adjustments for:
Depreciation charge
Investment income and interest receivable
Decrease/(Increase) in debtors
Increase/(Decrease) in creditors
Net cash used in/provided by operating activities
33,675
6,799
(7,759)
87,619
8,057
(220,692)
7,724
(3,617)
(141,652)
2,343
128,391 (355,894)

B Analysis of cash and cash equivalents

At 1 July
2023
£
Cash
flows
£
Other
non-cash
flows
£
At 31
March
2024
£
Cash at bank and in hand
Bank loans
Total funds
340,025
(65,681)
108,911
27,239

448,936
(38,442)
274,344 136,150 410,494

Coram Intercountry Adoption Centre Ltd 21

Principal accounting policies 31 March 2024

The principal accounting policies adopted, judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty in the preparation of the financial statements are laid out below.

Basis of preparation

These financial statements have been prepared for the nine months to 31 March 2024 with comparative information provided in respect to the 15 months to 30 June 2023.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policies below or the notes to these financial statements.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their financial statements in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (Charities SORP FRS 102), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), the Companies Act 2006 and the Charities Act 2011.

The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.

The financial statements are presented in sterling and are rounded to the nearest pound.

Critical accounting estimates and areas of judgement

Preparation of the financial statements requires the Trustees and management to make significant judgements and estimates. The key items in the financial statements where these judgements and estimates have been made include:

Assessment of going concern

The Trustees have assessed whether the use of the going concern assumption is appropriate in preparing these financial statements. The Trustees have made this assessment in respect to a period of one year from the date of approval of these financial statements.

The company continues to have the support of its ultimate parent entity, Coram, which has given an undertaking to provide financial support if and when needed. Therefore, the directors of the company have concluded that there are no material uncertainties related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the ability of the company to continue as a going concern. Given the undertakings of support, the directors are of the opinion that the company will have sufficient resources to meet its liabilities as they fall due.

Coram Intercountry Adoption Centre Ltd 22

Principal accounting policies 31 March 2024

Basis of consolidation

Coram Intercountry Adoption Centre is part of a larger group and its ultimate controlling party, Coram, consolidates the financial statements of Coram Intercountry Adoption Centre with its own and those of other group members.

Income recognition

Income is recognised in the period in which the charity has entitlement to the income and the amount can be measured reliably and it is probable that the income will be received. Income is deferred only when the charity has to fulfil conditions before becoming entitled to it or where the donor or funder has specified that the income is to be expended in a future accounting period.

Income comprises donations, grants, fee and contractual income, interest receivable and investment income, income from fundraising, and other sundry income.

Grants and donations are recognised when the charity has confirmation of both the amount and settlement date. In the event of donations and grants pledged but not received, the amount is accrued for where the receipt is considered probable. In the event that a donation is subject to conditions that require a level of performance before the charity is entitled to the funds, the income is deferred and not recognised until either those conditions are fully met, or the fulfilment of those conditions is wholly within the control of the charity and it is probable that those conditions will be fulfilled in the reporting period.

Fee and contract income represents the amounts receivable for the services provided to clients, excluding value added tax, under contractual obligations, which are performed gradually over time. Incomplete contracts at the balance sheet date are accounted for by reference to the fair value of the work performed and amounts due but not received at the balance sheet date are described in the financial statements as contractual income debtors.

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.

Fee and contract income represents the amounts receivable for the services provided to clients, excluding value added tax, under contractual obligations, which are performed gradually over time. Incomplete contracts at the balance sheet date are accounted for by reference to the fair value of the work performed and amounts due but not received at the balance sheet date are described in the financial statements as contractual income debtors.

Other income, including income from fundraising, is recognised to the extent that it is probable that the economic benefits will flow to the charity and the revenue can be reliably measured.

Coram Intercountry Adoption Centre Ltd 23

Principal accounting policies 31 March 2024

Volunteers and donated services and facilities

The value of services provided by volunteers is not incorporated into these financial statements.

Where services are provided to the charity as a donation that would normally be purchased from suppliers, this contribution is included in the financial statements as both income and expenditure at its estimated fair value based on the value of the contribution to the charity. There were no such donations during the period.

Expenditure recognition

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis. Expenditure comprises direct costs and support costs. All expenses, including support costs, are allocated or apportioned to the applicable expenditure headings. The classification between activities is as follows:

All expenditure is stated inclusive of irrecoverable VAT.

Allocation of support and governance costs

Support costs represent indirect charitable expenditure. In order to carry out the primary purposes of the charity it is necessary to provide support in the form of personnel development, financial procedures, provision of office services and equipment and a suitable working environment.

Governance costs comprise the costs involving the public accountability of the charity (including audit costs) and costs in respect to its compliance with regulation and good practice. Governance costs are included as a specific category within support costs.

Support costs are allocated to expenditure on charitable activities in the same proportion as the direct costs of each activity.

Operating leases

Rental charges are charged on a straight line basis over the term of the lease.

Coram Intercountry Adoption Centre Ltd 24

Principal accounting policies 31 March 2024

Tangible fixed assets

All assets costing more than £2,500 and with an expected useful life exceeding one year are capitalised and stated at cost less depreciation. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost of the assets, less their estimated residual value, over their expected useful lives on the following bases:

Debtors

Debtors are recognised at their settlement amount, less any provision for non-recoverability. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid. They have been discounted to the present value of the future cash receipt where such discounting is material.

Cash at bank and in hand and short term deposits

Cash at bank and in hand represents such accounts and instruments that are available on demand or have a maturity of less than three months from the date of acquisition. Deposits for more than three months but less than one year have been disclosed as short term deposits. Cash placed on deposit for more than one year is disclosed as a fixed asset investment.

Creditors and provisions

Creditors and provisions are recognised when there is an obligation at the balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are recognised at the amount the charity anticipates it will pay to settle the debt. They have been discounted to the present value of the future cash payment where such discounting is material.

Fund accounting

Restricted funds are to be used for specified purposes as laid down by the donor. Expenditure which meets these criteria is charged to the fund, together with a fair allocation of management and support costs.

The tangible fixed assets fund represents the net book value of the tangible fixed assets used for the support of the work of the charity.

Unrestricted funds are donations and other income received or generated for the objects of the charity without further specified purpose and are available as general funds.

Pensions

Contributions to employees’ personal pension plans and defined contribution pension schemes are charged to the statement of financial activities when they are payable to the plan or scheme. The charity has no liability beyond making its contributions and paying across the deductions for the employees’ contributions.

Coram Intercountry Adoption Centre Ltd 25

Notes to the financial statements for the period ended 31 March 2024

1 Income from donations and legacies

Unrestricted
funds
£
13,340
13,340
Restricted
funds
£

9 months
ended 31
March 2024
Total
funds
£


15 months
ended 30
June 2023
Total
funds
£
Donations 13,340 45,797
13,340 45,797

2 Income from charitable activities

Unrestricted
funds
£
747,073
640,298
1,387,371
Restricted
funds
£
9 months
ended 31
March
2024
Total
funds
£

15 months
ended 30
June 2023
Total
funds
£
1,172,074
1,012,783

2,184,857
Services to adopters
Services to professionals
Total charitable activities




747,073

640,298

1,387,371

3 Expenditure

Direct
costs
£
Support and
manage-
ment
£
9 months
ended 31
March 2024
Total
funds
£
15 months
ended 30
June 2023
Total
funds
£
Services to adopters
Services to professionals
Total charitable activities 2024
Total charitable activities 2023
560,873
480,711

179,428

153,783


740,301

634,494
1,321,079
1,132,264
1,041,584
333,211

1,374,795
2,453,343
2,369,580
83,763

2,453,343

Support costs have been allocated in line with the direct expenditure incurred.

Coram Intercountry Adoption Centre Ltd 26

Notes to the financial statements for the period ended 31 March 2024

4 Net income (expenditure) and net movement in funds

This is stated after charging:

9 months
ended 31
March
2024
£
15 months
ended 30
June 2023
£
Auditor’s remuneration (excluding VAT)
Depreciation(Note 6)
11,500
6,799
16,000
7,724

Staff costs during the period were as follows:

9 months
ended 31
March
2024
Total
funds
£
15 months
ended 30
June 2023
Total
funds
£
Salaries and wages
Social security costs
Pension contributions
933,539
65,580
28,601
1,912,623
148,306
61,647
1,027,720 2,122,576

The average monthly number of employees on a full-time equivalent basis during the period was as follows:

9 months
ended 31
March
2024
number
15 months
ended 30
June 2023
number
27 33

The number of employees whose remuneration was £60,000 for the period or more (excluding employer’s pension contributions but including taxable benefits) during the period was as follows:

9 months
ended 31
March
2024
number
15 months
ended 30
June 2023
number
£70,001 - £80,000
£90,001 - £100,000
£110,001 - £120,000


2
1
1

Coram Intercountry Adoption Centre Ltd 27

Notes to the financial statements for the period ended 31 March 2024

5 Staff costs (continued)

No employer pension contributions (15 months to June 2023 – £61,647) were made in respect to the above employees during the period.

Key management personnel are defined as the Trustees, together with the Group CEO and the Managing Director of Coram Intercountry Adoption Centre.

The remuneration of key management personnel is based on an internal assessment of the scope of the individual role and an individual’s performance within that role. Internal benchmarking is conducted to ensure that remuneration levels within the Coram Group are consistent for the level of responsibilities. Remuneration is agreed by the Coram Group Senior Management Team consisting of the Chief Executive, Chief Finance Officer and the Director of People & Compliance. The total remuneration (including taxable benefits and employer's pension and national insurance contributions) of the key management personnel of the charity was £64,494 (15 months to June 2023 - £259,596).

No Trustee received any remuneration during the period (2023 - £nil). One trustee was reimbursed £1,727 for travel expenses (15 months to June 2023 – One trustee £206).

6 Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets
Fixtures,
fittings and
equipment
£
Total
£
Cost
At 1 July 2023
Additions
At 31 March 2024
Depreciation
At 1 July 2023
Charge for the period
At 31 March 2024
Net book values
At 31 March 2024
At 31 June 2023
Debtors
37,766 37,766
37,766 37,766
30,967
6,799
30,967
6,799
37,766 37,766
6,799 6,799
31 March
2024
£
128,563
12,379
16,847
157,789
30 June
2023
£
186,840
22,520
36,048
245,408
Trade debtors
Other debtors
Accrued income and prepayments

7 Debtors

Coram Intercountry Adoption Centre Ltd 28

Notes to the financial statements for the period ended 31 March 2024

8 Creditors: amount falling due within one year

Bank loans and overdrafts (see note 10)
Trade creditors
Accruals and deferred income
Other creditors
Social security and other taxes
31 March
2024
£
38,442
58,056
548,332
34,369
25,331
704,530
30 June
2023
£
36,617
79,732
508,443
33,770
36,086
694,648

Deferred income relates to funding received which is subject to time related conditions. The movement on deferred income during the period was as follows:

At 1 July 2023
Released in the period
New deferrals
At 31 March 2024
31 March
2024
£
297,743
(450,666)
514,877
361,954

9 Creditors: amount falling due after more than one year

Bank loans and overdrafts (see note 10) 31 March
2024
£

30 June
2023
£
29,064
29,064

10 Loans

An analysis of the maturity of the loans is given below:

31 March
2024
£



30 June
2023
£
Within one year
Between one and two years
38,442
36,617
29,064
65,681
38,442

All loans are fixed interest rate loans at 6.5%. Bank loans are secured against the assets of the charity.

Coram Intercountry Adoption Centre Ltd 29

Notes to the financial statements for the period ended 31 March 2024

11 Movements in funds

Movements in funds
At 30
June
2023
£
Income
£
Transfers
£





Expenditure
£
At 31
March
2024
£
Restricted funds
John Lyon’s Charity
India Appeal
Total restricted funds
Total unrestricted funds
Total funds
22,500
10,730

(13,500)
9,000
10,730
33,230 (13,500) 19,730
(164,710) 1,408,470 (1,361,295) (117,535)
(131,480) 1,408,470 (1,374,795) (97,805)

The income funds of the charity include restricted funds comprising the following unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trusts to be applied for specific purpose.

John Lyon’s Charity

This fund is to be spent to provide post adoption support to families in nine Local Authority areas in London.

India Appeal

This fund is to be spent to support families adopting children from India.

12 Analysis of net assets between funds

General
funds
£

586,995
(704,530)

(117,535)
Restricted
funds
£
Total
funds
£
Tangible fixed assets
Current assets
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year

19,730


606,725
(704,530)
19,730 (97,805)

13 Operating lease commitments

At 31 March 2024, the charity had commitments in respect to total minimum lease payments payable under operating leases for land and buildings due as follows:

31 March
2024
£

30 June
2023
£
Payable within:
Less than one year
Between one and two years
37,269
49,692
24,846
37,269 74,538

Coram Intercountry Adoption Centre Ltd 30

Notes to the financial statements for the period ended 31 March 2024

14 Related party transactions

The financial statements do not include disclosure of transactions between Coram Intercountry Adoption Centre and Coram or any fellow subsidiary entities. As a 100% controlled subsidiary undertaking, Coram Intercountry Adoption Centre is exempt from the requirement to disclose such transactions under Financial Reporting Standard 102 Section 33.

During the period of report, there were no other transactions with related parties (2023: none).

15 Ultimate parent undertaking

The Thomas Coram Foundation for the Children (‘Coram’), a registered charity with Charity Registration Number 312278, is the sole member of Coram Intercountry Adoption Centre.

16 Liability of member

The charity is constituted as a company limited by guarantee. In the event of the charity being wound up, the member is required to contribute an amount not exceeding £1.

17 Taxation

Coram Intercountry Adoption Centre is a registered charity and, therefore, is not liable to income tax or corporation tax on income derived from its charitable activities, as it falls within the various exemptions available to registered charities.

Coram Intercountry Adoption Centre Ltd 31

Appendix:

Comparative statement of financial activities 15 Month period to 30 June 2023 (incorporating the income and expenditure account)

Notes Unrestricted
funds
£
45,797
3,617
1,172,074
1,012,783
8,116
2,242,387
9,736
2,430,843
2,440,579
(198,192)
33,482
(164,710)

Restricted
funds
£
15 Month
period
ending 30
June 2023
Total
funds
£
45,797
3,617
1,172,074
1,012,783
8,116
2,242,387
9,736
2,453,343
2,463,079

(220,692)
89,212
(131,480)
Income from:
Donations and legacies
1
Bank interest
Charitable activities
. Services to adopters
2
. Services to professionals
2
Other sources
. Miscellaneous Income
Total income
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
. Fundraising
Charitable activities
3
Total expenditure
Net (expenditure) income and net movement in
funds
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward at
1 April 2022
Total funds carried forward at
30 June 2023
11




22,500
22,500
(22,500)
55,730
33,230

Coram Intercountry Adoption Centre Ltd 32

Appendix

Comparative notes to the financial statements 15 month period to 31 March 2023

1 Donations and legacies

2 Unrestricted
funds
£
45,797
45,797
Restricted
funds
£
15 month
period
ending 30
June 2023
Total
funds
£
45,797
45,797
Donations
Income from charitable activities
Unrestricted
funds
£
1,172,074
1,012,783
2,184,857
Restricted
funds
£
15 month
period
ending 30
June 2023
Total
funds
£
Services to adopters
Services to professionals
Total charitable activities


1,172,074

1,012,783


2,184,857

3 Expenditure on charitable activities

Unrestricted
funds
£
Restricted
funds
£
15 month
period
ending 30
June 2023
Total
funds
£
Charitable activities
Total charitable activities
2,430,843
22,500

2,453,343
2,430,843
22,500

2,453,343

.

Coram Intercountry Adoption Centre Ltd 33

Appendix

Comparative notes to the financial statements 15 month period to 31 March 2023

11 Movements in funds

Movements in funds
At 31
March
2022
£
Income
£
Transfers
£
Expenditure
£
At 30 June
2023
£
Restricted funds
John Lyon’s Charity
India Appeal
Total restricted funds
Total unrestricted funds
Total funds
45,000
10,730


(22,500)
22,500
10,730
55,730 (22,500) 33,230
33,482 2,242,387 (2,440,579) (164,710)
89,212 2,242,387 (2,463,079) (131,480)

12 Analysis of net assets between funds

General
funds
£
6,799
552,203
(694,648)
(29,064)
(164,710)
Restricted
funds
£
Total
funds
£
Tangible fixed assets
Current assets
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

33,230

6,799
585,433
(694,648)
(29,064)
33,230 (131,480)

Coram Intercountry Adoption Centre Ltd 34