SACAR ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Company Registration No. 03973158 (England & Wales) Charity Registration No. 1085352 (England & Wales) SACAR LEGAL AND ADIVJINISTRATIVE INFORMATION Charity number: 1085352 (Registered in England & Wales) Company number: 03973158 (Registered in England & Wales) Registered office Onward House 2 Baptist Place Bradford BD12PS Trustees Mr M O'Hara- resigned 21-10-2024 Mr J Cassidy Mrs J Rowland Mr P Rowland Mr K Ellison Miss D Crabtree Mrs J Weale Solicitors Progeny 46 Progeny House Park Place Leeds LS12RY Independent Auditor Andrew S Parker 16 Foundry Close Halton Lancaster LA2 6FE Bankers Barclays Bank PIC Leicester Leicestershire LE87 2BB CONTENTS Page Trustees report Independent auditorfs report 9-10 Statement of financial activities Balance sheet 12 Statement of cash flows 13 Notes to the accounts 14-19 SACAR TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT (INCORPORATING) DIRECTORS'S REPORTISTATEGIC REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 MARCH 2025 Introduction The Trustees presenttheir annual report and accounts forthe charity for the year ended 31 March 2024. The Trustees who are also the directors of Sacar for the purposes of company law and who served during the year and up to the date of this report are set out on page 7. The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts and comply with the Charity's memorandum and articles of association, the Companies Act 2006 and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015) A summary of the objectives of the charity as set out in its governing document. Sacar's mission is to support people with Autism and Asperger's syndrome by the provision of health, education, training, sports, creative art and counselling activities, which promote their social inclusion, training opportunities and ultimately employability- Sacar provides essential information, training and support to carers, parents and health professionals, and also contributes to research in this specialist field. The charity's key objectives are to". Identify an individual's needs Provide an information, advice and support service to those affected by Autism and Aspergerfs syndrome Provide a positive environment to support the individual's personal, emotional, and social wellbeing Develop and continually reinforce essential social skills Deliver an Autism specific Learning Programme of activities to engage these individuals whilst also teaching social skills, key skills, and independent living-skills Provide an Autism specific 1-1 Outreach service, in order to meet the needs of our client group Offer an Autism specific Supported Employment Programme, providing the opportunity of exploring potential employment with support Provide Autism Awareness Training and organise conferences for parents, carers, teachers, social and health care professionals Promote the social inclusion of adults with Autism through increased participation within local communities Develop a range of social enterprise initiatives for the benefit of our client group Facilitate involvement of parentslcarers to insure successful transference of skills to residential, training and employment environments Work in partnership with otherorganisations and professionals to promote awareness of Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASCs>. developing a network of support and providing progression routes for our client group Explore the development of suitable supported accommodation for adults with an ASC An explanation of the charity's strategies for achieving its stated objectives We have continued to strengthen our structures and procedures "behind the scenes" improving mechanisms for accountabilty, quality assurance and evaluating and improving the overall service through our sub-contractual relationship with Specialist Autism Services, who have not only maintained the high quality of services but also further developed the provision in response to the needs of our client group. SACAR TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT (INCORPORATING) DIRECTORS'S REPORTISTATEGIC REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 MARCH 2025 CONTINUED Details of the main activities that contribute to the achievement of the stated objectives Through the service delivery of Specialist Autism Services, we aim to: Empower and enable adults with Autism and Asperger's syndrome to lead a more independent lifestyle and integrate into the community Increase their self-confidence, social and interpersonal skills Increase opportunities for training and work placement leading to employment. Promote educational attainment of this client group Encourage meaningful engagement and social inclusion, leading to a reduction in criminal or antisocial activity Increase awareness of Autism Spectrum Conditions such as Aspergerfs syndrome strengthen our provision, in order to ensure that we are an effective community organisation Liaise and work with other voluntary and statutory organisations Public Benefit Statement The trustees have considered guidance from the Charities, Commission regarding public benefit under section 4 of the charities act 2011 and consider the public benefit core to their service delivery. Every effort has been made to allow for the inclusion of this hard to reach, vulnerable client group. The achievement of delivery of service of Sacar and the passing of information, knowledge, and expertise of supporting this vulnerable client group, to other organisations have been beneficial to communities and individuals, resident throughout England. Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year During this financial year, the sub-contractual arrangements for the delivery of services through Specialist Autism Services have continued to work well. We have delivered direct face-to-face support on a weekly basis to over 350 individuals with an ASC, whilst also providing support and guidance to their parentslcarers and circles of support. We have also utilised the learning and feedback gathered whilst delivering our alternative, virtual provision during the Covid period, to provide support to an additional number of individuals on the Autism Spectrum in order to meet their specific needs. Over the past 12 months our provision has included= An Autism specific Learning Programme delivered by a highly experienced staff team who continually reinforce appropriate behaviours and social skills essential for this client group's confidence, learn a range of skills, encourage them to make choices in other areas of their Itves and provide opportunities which will promote their social inclusion. This programme is devised through co-production with our members and includes topics such as Independent Living Skills, Preparing for Work, Social Skills Training, Health and Wellbeing, Hobbies and Interests, Creative Arts, Community Access, Lego and Café Skills Training. These workshops are a way to engage adults with an ASC, explore their strengths, skills and talents whilst also learning and developing essential social skills. A year-round formal Social Skills training programme. This provides opportunity for learning and developing a range of social skills such as social interaction, emotional expression, recreation, learning social rules, being patient with each other's limitations and behaviours, problem solving, overcoming shyness and communication. We explore and share strategies for overcoming social skills barriers and also identify and celebrate the various skills, talents and abilities of our Client group and how to utilise these. SACAR TRUSTEES. ANNUAL REPORT (INCORPORATING) DIRECTORS'S REPORTISTATEGIC REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 MARCH 2025 CONTINUED Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year- continued An 'Employment Programme, which specifically targets the barriers to employment faced by individuals with Autism. We provide a preparing for work course, information, advice, and guidance regarding the various types of employment available and information about benefits in a way, that is clear and manageable, to our client group. We secure placementslemployment in accordance with the requests of our members and provide 1.1 supportforas long as required. We also provide Autism training, along with information, advice, and guidance to the employerslline manager of each individual around Autism and the way that particular individual is affected by their condition. We have found this to be essential for a successful placemenujob. We have a good relationship with the DWP who continue to refer individuals to our service who require specialist support, along with many other referral sources. We have continued to provide ASC Awareness Training to a range of organisations and agencies across the country, aimed at increasing awareness of Autism Spectrum Conditions and the specific needs that this group of individuals have. Those benefiting from our training include Bradford Council, Leeds City Council, Calderdale Council, the DWP, Social Services. Mental Health Services, West Yorkshire Police, Fire and Rescue Services, Health and Educational Professionals and other statutorylvoluntary organisations that come into contact with and support our client group. An ASC specific Outreach Service which is tailored to meet the individual needs of each member who cannot attend our mainstream service and thereby enables us to support the most isolated individuals and, also be more flexible for those members who require 1..1 support at home, at work or in the community. 'Autism First, continues to grow and develop with outstanding feedback and responses from parents, carers, social workers, and other health professionals. This aspect of our provision supports adults with an ASC and additional complex needs, in response to a huge gap in Autism specific provision. An Autism specific Counselling Service which has been developed in response to the demand for such a specialist provision. This is offered at both the Bradford and Leeds sites. Localised Autism Hubs in Keighley and Calderdale to support and engage adults with an ASC living in those specific areas through a person centred, social skills programme, delivered on a weekly basis, together with specialised employment support. Support, advice and guidance for individuals on the spectrum andlor their parentslcarers- We continue to receive many new referrals to our service who do not have either a social worker or mental health worker. We therefore continue to provide support and advice to these individuals andlor their parentslcarers with regards to obtaining a community care assessment in order to secure the support they require and fvnding for the relevant seNices to meet their individual needs. We also continue to provide infomiation and support to parentslcarers on a variety of issues such as benefits and Autism specific strategies. Continued partnership working and linkages with a varied range of organisations, agencies, groups and statutory bodies in order to build relationships, raise awareness and understanding of the needs of adults with an ASC and work together to supportthe inclusion of our client group within their local communities. SACAR TRUSTEES. ANNUAL REPORT (INCORPORATING) DIRECTORS'S REPORTISTATEGIC REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 MARCH 2025 CONTINUED Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year- continued A comprehensive, extensive and specialist staff training programme to ensure that all staff and volunteers receive intensive ASC specific training in order for us to provide specialised support which meets the Autistic needs of our client group in addition to all mandatory training. Together with Specialist Autism Services (SAS), we have expanded our network considerably over the past 12 months and are now part of an increasing number of committees and forums and feel this is an essential aspect of our work in sharing best practice and raising the profile of Autism and Asperger's syndrome. Through ourwork with SAS, we have once again secured grant funding for the next financial year, from the Bradford District and Craven Integrated Care Board to help support the delivery of our services within those areas. SAS have also secured additional grants from Bradford Council and Calderdale Council to support a range of projects specifically tailored to meet the needs of adults on the Autism Spectrum across the Yorkshire region. We are extremely grateful to our funders without whom we could not continue to deliver these essential services. We are also very grateful to our landlords who continue to be very generous and supportive and without whom we could not deliver our services and help so many individuals on the Autism Spectrum. Structure, Governance and Management Nature of the Governing Document and constitution of the charity Sacar was formally established as a company limited by guarantee (No. 03973158, registered in England & Wales) in April 2000 and became a registered Charity (No. 1085352, registered in England & Wales) in March 2001. Our memorandum and articles of association are the governing documents for this charity. The methods adopted for the recruitment and appointment of new trustees Sacar's Board of Trustees have taken guidance from the Charity Commission's publication "Finding New Trustees" this has allowed us to examine the current level of skills available to us as a board and has provided insight into the method of recruitment and induction of new trustees. This has allowed us to review the longer-term expansion of the charity and determine the skills bank that this expansion requires. Appointment of directors and trustees The charity currently looks to appoint as trustees, individuals who have expressed an interest in the charity's objects and who have relevant skills, knowledge and experience. New trustees are recruited and co-opted onto the Board by the existing trustees. There is an ongoing commitment to seek out individuals who can strengthen the Board and bring complementary skills to the team. All directors give their time voluntarily. The organisational structure of the charity and how decisions are made The policies of the charity are made by the trustees. The trustees meet on a regular basis in order to discuss the ongoing delivery of setvices through SpecialistAutism Services and the development of the Charity. SACAR TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT (INCORPORATING) DIRECTORS'S REPORTISTATEGIC REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 IVIARCH 2025 CONTINUED Structure, Governance and Management- continued Relationships between the charity and related parties, including its subsidiaries Sacar does not have any subsidiaries, but we do now have a formal contractual arrangement in the form of a Service Level Agreement with Specialist Autism Services which enables us to sub