THE OXFORDSHIRE CARE PARTNERSHIP
Annual Report and Financial Statements
Year Ended 31 March 2026
Charity No: 1087554 Company No: 04152545
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THE OXFORDSHIRE CARE PARTNERSHIP
Contents
| Section | Page |
|---|---|
| Report of the Trustees (incorporating the Strategic Report) | 3 |
| Independent Auditors Report to the Members of The Oxfordshire Care Partnership | 12 |
| Statement of Financial Activities (incorporating an Income and Expenditure Account) | 17 |
| Balance Sheet | 18 |
| Statement of Cash Flows | 19 |
| Notes Forming Part of the Financial Statements | 20-26 |
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THE OXFORDSHIRE CARE PARTNERSHIP
Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 March 2026
The Trustees, who are also directors of the Charity for the purposes of the Companies Act, submit their annual report and the audited financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2026.
Reference and Administrative Details
Director/Trustees Daniel Hayes (The Orders of St John Care Trust) Mark Lee (The Orders of St John Care Trust) Hilary Morris (The Orders of St John Care Trust) Tracey Wardle (The Orders of St John Care Trust) Richard Hill (bpha) Paul Cook (bpha) Catherine Kelly (bpha – appointed 1 April 2025) Julian Pearce (bpha)
Secretary Catherine Kelly Registered Office Eyre Court Whisby Way Lincoln LN6 3LQ Auditor BDO LLP Chartered Accountants Two Snowhill Birmingham B4 6GA Bankers Barclays Bank Plc 1 Churchill Place London E14 5HP
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THE OXFORDSHIRE CARE PARTNERSHIP
Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 March 2026 (continued) Strategic Report
Structure, Governance and Management
The Oxfordshire Care Partnership (the Charity) is a charitable company limited by guarantee (registered company number 04152545, registered Charity number 1087554) and was established on 1 February 2001. It is governed by articles of association which were last amended on 8 June 2001.
Organisation
A Board of Trustees, which meets periodically, administers the Charity. Each member has the power to appoint up to four Trustees to the Board and the Board is able to appoint up to two independent Trustees. During the year to 31 March 2026, The Orders of St John Care Trust (OSJCT) had four Trustees and bpha had four Trustees and there were no independent trustees. Trustee induction and training includes ensuring all Trustees have a working knowledge of the Charity and its charitable purpose, any current issues the Charity is facing and an overview of the financial position. The Trustees jointly take all key decisions regarding contractual and other commercial arrangements of the Charity, and there are working groups on which both members are represented. OSJCT manage the day-today care service provision obligations of the Charity under a management contract dated 20 December 2001.
Investment Powers
Under the memorandum and articles of association, the Charity has the power to make any investments which the Trustees see fit.
Objectives and Public Benefit
The Charity’s objectives are to carry out in the County of Oxfordshire the following activities:
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To provide care to elderly people through care homes specialising in residential, mental health and nursing care, together with intermediate, domiciliary and day care;
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To provide housing, accommodation and assistance to help house people who are elderly or disabled and associated facilities and amenities for such people or for the relief of the aged, disabled, handicapped (whether physically or mentally) or chronically sick people and provision of care in the community and in hospitals and at home; and
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To further such general charitable objects as the Trustees may determine.
The Trustees have reviewed the Charity Commission guidance on Public Benefit and consider that the Trust objectives are for the public benefit. The main reasons are:
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100% of our service users are contracted by Local Authorities.
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Surpluses are reinvested in subsidising improved services or accommodation for our service users.
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Other services are provided at either low or no cost to certain service users.
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Our services are available to any eligible person.
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THE OXFORDSHIRE CARE PARTNERSHIP
Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 March 2026 (continued)
Related Parties
The Charity is a charitable care trust established in 2001 by OSJCT, a leading national provider of care service for older people and bpha, a major regional registered social landlord, to take transfer of operational care homes for older people from Oxfordshire County Council (OCC). The transfer of the 19 care homes was completed in December 2001. Central to the contract with OCC is the principle that the 10 existing homes will be replaced in the life of the contract, in which the physical standards of the accommodation fall short of agreed requirements, with eight larger new build homes developed to the most modern standards. In all significant matters, including the provision of services to OCC and the replacement of homes, the Charity acts as the principal obligor but as detailed below has subcontracted certain matters to OSJCT and bpha who each take some of the risks and rewards. The net balance of surplus / deficit after sub-contractual commitments arising on operations in the County of Oxfordshire is retained within the Charity.
The Charity wholly subcontracts the care of residents in the care homes to OSJCT. OSJCT is the registered operator of the care homes and employs the employees working in the homes and at a support level in the county office. Similarly, the Charity subcontracts the development and capital funding of the new care homes to bpha.
The existing care homes and County Council controlled development sites are leased from OCC to the Charity on 60-year operating leases with the exception of one site. The development sites are underlet by the Charity to bpha with a contractual commitment to develop and fund the new care homes. Upon satisfactory completion, the new homes are leased back to the Charity for operation by OSJCT.
Funding Sources and Expenditure
The principal funding source is fees for residential and nursing care from OCC; the Charity also receives income from the NHS for property rental at the Chipping Norton site (2026: £0.36m; 2025: £0.36m); expenditure is all related to providing care, and maintaining the properties and equipment.
The accounting treatment adopted since the Charity was first established reflects the intention of the partners, OSJCT and bpha, and of the other stakeholders principally including OCC, that all activity in relation to provision of services in the homes operated by the Charity should be reflected in the Charity’s financial statements. This is reflected in the occupancy key performance indicators. However, self-fund income is treated as agency income and so is not included in the accounts. Beds which are not purchased by OCC and beds that fall outside of the contract with OCC are made available to private self-funding residents in a direct contract with OSJCT. As in previous years the private self-funder income does not form part of the financial statements of the Charity. In previous years the Charity’s strategic report made some reference to the key performance metrics of the homes. The Trustees recognise that it is not possible by reference to the OCP financial statements for external stakeholders to understand the underlying performance of the homes since most of the operating costs and all of the self-funder income are borne by OSJCT and are only recognised in OSJCT’s financial statements. The Trustees have agreed on the accounting treatment and this is consistent with the prior year, they will however keep this under review for appropriateness.
The Trustees recognise that more than 20 years have elapsed since the Charity commenced operations. During that period the operating environment, including the needs and expectations of elderly people has changed. The original intentions of the partners have in some cases been superseded with some homes continuing to operate beyond their originally anticipated lifespan.
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THE OXFORDSHIRE CARE PARTNERSHIP
Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 March 2026 (continued)
Funding Sources and Expenditure (continued)
Trustees committed to using up to £3.3m from the Charity’s reserves by the end of the FY27 financial year to support lifecycle and refurbishment works ensuring the homes are maintained to a high standard. £0.6m was utilised during FY26 bringing the total reserves utilised to date to £3.1m. The Board has approved the use of £0.2m of reserves for works committed to during the FY27 financial year. There will be ongoing review of the use of both the Lifecycle Maintenance Fund and the reserves over the remaining life of the contract to ensure there are sufficient funds available to support necessary lifecycle and improvement works in the homes.
Compliance with Charity Governance Code
The Board notes its support of the code of governance for charities, including the requirements for larger, more complex charities. Both members have adopted codes of governance relevant to their sectors: bpha applies the principles of good governance outlined in the National Housing Federation Code of Governance 2020 and OSJCT applies the Charity Governance Code 2025. This latter Code sets out universal principles of governance for charities to consider and helps to shape a common view of what good looks like. Compliance with the Code is not a regulatory requirement but meeting the Code’s principles and outcomes provides assurance to external stakeholders that a charity is well governed.
A review was undertaken during early 2026 to assess OCP’s compliance with the updated code. The code is based on eight principles, and is underpinned by expected Board behaviours as well as policy, processes and procedures. OCP’s practices largely meet all applicable requirements of the Charity Governance Code, with behaviours fully met. However, full compliance with all recommended policy, processes and practice within the code was not achievable. Areas of divergence are largely a result of the structure of the joint venture. Areas of divergence from the Code are set out in the table below.
Principle Overarching outcome Areas where policy, processes and practice diverge from code
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1 Foundation Trustees take responsibility for, There is no documented Trustee Principle and invest the necessary time and induction process as an individual, care, in understanding the tailored approach is undertaken which charity, their responsibilities and reflects a Trustee's previous experience legal duties. and any prior history of involvement with the Charity through its joint venture partners.
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2 Organisational The board is clear about the None Principle charity’s aims and how these benefit all or part of the public. It ensures that activity is targeted at achieving those aims both in the short and long term.
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THE OXFORDSHIRE CARE PARTNERSHIP
Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 March 2026 (continued)
Compliance with Charity Governance Code (continued)
| 3 | Leadership | The charity is headed by an effective board that provides strategic leadership in line with the charity’s purpose and values. |
None |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Ethics and Culture |
The board has agreed the standards and values which shape the charity’s behaviours and culture. This includes being open about how the charity operates and responding thoughtfully to feedback. |
None |
| 5 | Decision Making |
The board makes effective decisions that best serve the charity’s purposes. Trustees take personal responsibility for carefully considering each decision and working to reach agreement. |
None |
| 6 | Managing resources and risks |
The board takes responsibility for stewarding, developing and allocating resources. The board identifies the risks to achieving the charity’s aims and agrees how to navigate them. The board seeks assurance that risks are properly managed. |
None |
| 7 | Equity, diversity and inclusion |
The board has a clear, agreed and effective approach to supporting equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) throughout the organisation, including in its own practice. |
The board does not share information publicly about its success and challenges in progressing EDI aims. As the day-to- day care service provision is contractually managed by OSJCT, EDI aims are progressed in respect of both residents and staff through OSJCT's policies, processes and practices, rather than through the Charity directly. |
| 8 | Board effectiveness |
The board works well together, using an appropriate balance of skills, experience, backgrounds and knowledge. It reviews its performance on a regular cycle and takes steps to improve. |
Due to the constitution of the Board, Trustees are appointed directly by the joint venture partners and not via an open recruitment process. There are no set terms of office, nor formalised Board evaluationprocesses. |
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THE OXFORDSHIRE CARE PARTNERSHIP
Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 March 2026 (continued)
Statement of adherence to the Fundraising Regulator Code
The Charity seeks to comply fully with all regulation and relevant codes of practice. Fundraising is not a material income stream for the Charity and therefore is not required to report under section 162A of the Charities Act 2011.
Activities and Performance
The Charity currently operates 16 care homes across Oxfordshire with a total of 878 beds (2025: 878). The homes operate with 93.8% CQC compliance with one rated as requires improvement.
The Charity (OCP) continues to have a strong relationship with OCC and strategic discussions are ongoing around the future estate strategy including performance of some older homes and development of alternative commissioning models that meet the needs of OCC and future residents alike.
The Charity subcontracts the provision of care to OSJCT which means all operating risk sits with OSJCT rather than OCP.
FY26 was another stable year of performance for the homes, with occupancy at 89.9%. Continued reduction in staff turnover has led to a stable workforce, which has supported strong utilisation of the block capacity.
Electronic care records are now used in each home, with the Nourish system fully implemented. OSJCT are continuing investment in this system, using data and analytics to support improved outcomes for residents.
The Charity (OCP) will continue to work with its partners and stakeholders to ensure the sustainability of OCP.
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2025 | |
| Financial KPIs | (£’000) | (£’000) |
| Income | 29,558 | 29,088 |
| Net (expenditure)/income for the year | (454) | (2,215) |
| Cash outflow | (111) | (2,047) |
| Operational KPIs | ||
| Occupancy as % of total places | 89.9% | 89.6% |
| Average block beds | 505 | 510 |
Financial performance for the 12 months has increased marginally in terms of income (income from charitable activities grew by 2% to £29.5m in the year to 31 March 2026) due principally to the increase in fee rates for the Oxfordshire contracted homes. The average occupancy for the year (OCC funded residents and self-funders) was 89.9% (2025: 89.6%). This equates to 789 (2025: 787) residents in total. The average number of occupied block beds reduced to 505 funded by OCC (2025: 510). Local Authority fee increases for the year were 6% (2025: 4.7%). Fee increases are linked to contractual indexation.
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THE OXFORDSHIRE CARE PARTNERSHIP
Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 March 2026 (continued)
Activities and Performance (continued)
Additional Property Maintenance costs of £0.6m was incurred within expenditure on charitable activities as part of the agreed £3.3m use of reserves over three years to support elements of refurbishment and maintenance in the existing estate.
Contractual payments to OSJCT increased in line with the increase in income as a consequence of the mechanism used to calculate care fees.
Interest received in the year has decreased to £61k (2025: £156k) due to declining interest rates.
The occupancy in the homes reflects the continued demand in the sector for elderly residential and nursing care. Trustees remain confident this demand will continue though it expects demand to shift towards more specialised nursing and dementia services. OCP homes already provide many of these services and are well placed to continue to develop services in line with local health economy needs as the next year progresses.
Going Concern
The Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future from the date of signing of these reports and financial statements. Trustees have reviewed the 24-month trading performance and cashflows and are satisfied the Charity is sustainable. Therefore, the Charity will continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the annual financial statements.
Trustees have considered a number of scenarios with relation to occupancy and the impact on OCP. The contractual structure of OCP is such, that the void mechanism ensures OCP can continue to cover all contractual payments. Operating risk sits with the care provider, OSJCT, and therefore Trustees are assured there is limited risk to OCP.
Reserves Policy and Risk Management
In recent years, Trustees have chosen to build reserves; however, because the operating risk of the Charity sits within OSJCT, the Trustees have acknowledged that limited reserves need to be held to ensure the sustainability of the Charity. The Charity is committed to using reserves for reinvestment in services for older people in Oxfordshire in line with the Charity’s objectives. Trustees have reviewed the use of reserves and approved the use of £3.3m over three years to support elements of refurbishment and maintenance in the existing estate. £3.1m of reserves have been used during FY25 & FY26 for this purpose, with the remainder to be utilised during FY27. The year-end held total reserves of £1.3m (2024/25: £1.8m) with free reserves (defined as total reserves less Fixed Assets) of £1.1m (2024/25: £1.5m).
The Trustees have identified and implemented risk management strategies for the risks to which the charity could be exposed and have established controls and action plans over these.
The principal risks to which the Charity may be subject:
- Governance and Management - the strategic objectives of the Charity are reviewed on a regular basis, to set clear goals for the current year in line with long term aspirations and Charity Commission guidelines, in order to continue to deliver quality care services.
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THE OXFORDSHIRE CARE PARTNERSHIP
Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 March 2026 (continued)
Reserves Policy and Risk Management (continued)
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Operational Control – there are established systems to manage and report operating performance to all stakeholders in the Trust, which are reviewed regularly.
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Financial Controls – Operational financial management of the Charity is undertaken by OSJCT which is overseen by a Board of Trustees.
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Legal and Compliance Risks - OSJCT as Care Provider complies with all care homes legislation and other applicable laws relating to the homes or to the provision of services including (without limitation) those relating to health and safety, hygiene, fire, employment and data protection.
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Estate risk – the ageing of the estate and delays to the capital investment program and strategic discussions around the future estate strategy may lead to a degradation in property standards and consequential drop in occupancy.
Trustees’ Responsibilities
The Trustees (who are also the directors of the charity for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Report (including the Strategic Report), the Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.
Company law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law). Under company law the Trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charity for that period.
In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the applicable Charities SORP;
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make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
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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 adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charity’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The Trustees confirm that:
- So far as each Trustee is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the charitable company’s auditor is unaware; and
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THE OXFORDSHIRE CARE PARTNERSHIP
Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 March 2026 (continued)
Trustees’ Responsibilities (continued)
The Trustees have taken all reasonable steps that they ought to have taken as Trustees in order to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the charitable company’s auditor is aware of that information.
In preparing this Trustees Report advantage has been taken of the small companies exemption. The Trustees Annual Report, incorporating the Strategic Report, was approved by the Board on 6 July 2026.
Daniel Hayes Trustee
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THE OXFORDSHIRE CARE PARTNERSHIP
Independent auditor’s report to the members of The Oxfordshire Care Partnership
Opinion on the financial statements
In our opinion, the financial statements:
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give a true and fair view of the state of the Charitable Company’s affairs as at 31 March 2026 and of its incoming resources and application of resources for the year then ended;
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have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and
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have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.
We have audited the financial statements of The Oxfordshire Care Partnership (“the Charitable Company”) for the year ended 31 March 2026 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities (Incorporating an Income and Expenditure Account), the Balance Sheet, 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, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
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 believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
Independence
We remain independent of the Charitable Company in accordance with the ethical requirements 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.
Conclusions related 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.
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THE OXFORDSHIRE CARE PARTNERSHIP
Independent auditor’s report to the members of The Oxfordshire Care Partnership (continued)
Other information
The Trustees are responsible for the 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. 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 audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements 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.
Other Companies Act 2006 reporting
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:
-
the information given in the Trustees’ Report, which includes the Directors’ Report and the Strategic Report prepared for the purposes of Company Law, for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and
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the Strategic Report and the Directors’ Report, which are included in the Trustees’ Report, have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
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 Strategic Report or 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;
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adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or
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the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
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certain disclosures of Directors’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or
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we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or
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the trustees were not entitled to prepare the financial statements in accordance with the small companies regime and take advantage of the small companies’ exemptions in preparing the Directors’ Report.
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THE OXFORDSHIRE CARE PARTNERSHIP
Independent auditor’s report to the members of The Oxfordshire Care Partnership (continued)
Responsibilities of Trustees
As explained more fully in the Trustees’ Responsibilities statement, 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
We have been appointed as auditor under the Companies Act 2006 and report in accordance with the Act and relevant regulations made or having effect thereunder.
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.
Extent to which the audit was capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud
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:
Non-compliance with laws and regulations
Based on:
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Our understanding of the Charitable Company and the sector in which it operates;
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Discussion with management and those charged with governance; and
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Obtaining an understanding of the Charitable Company’s policies and procedures regarding compliance with laws and regulations;
we considered the significant laws and regulations to be Companies Act 2006, Charities Act 2011, UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice, Charities SORP (FRS 102) (second edition October 2019) and UK tax legislation.
The Charitable Company is also subject to laws and regulations where the consequence of noncompliance could have a material effect on the amount or disclosures in the financial statements, for example through the imposition of fines or litigations. We identified such laws and regulations to be health and safety legislation, Care Quality Commission compliance and data protection.
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THE OXFORDSHIRE CARE PARTNERSHIP
Independent auditor’s report to the members of The Oxfordshire Care Partnership (continued)
Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements (continued)
Our procedures in respect of the above included:
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Review of minutes of meeting of those charged with governance for any instances of noncompliance with laws and regulations;
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Review of correspondence with regulatory authorities for any instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations; and
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Review of financial statement disclosures and agreeing to supporting documentation.
Fraud
We assessed the susceptibility of the financial statements to material misstatement, including fraud. Our risk assessment procedures included:
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Enquiry with management and those charged with governance regarding any known or suspected instances of fraud;
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Obtaining an understanding of the Charitable Company’s policies and procedures relating to:
oDetecting and responding to the risks of fraud; andoInternal controls established to mitigate risks related to fraud. -
Review of minutes of meeting of those charged with governance for any known or suspected instances of fraud;
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Discussion amongst the engagement team as to how and where fraud might occur in the financial statements; and
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Performing analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected relationships that may indicate risks of material misstatement due to fraud.
Based on our risk assessment, we considered the areas most susceptible to fraud to be posting inappropriate journal entries to manipulate financial results and management bias in accounting estimates.
Our procedures in respect of the above included:
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Testing journal entries throughout the year, which met a defined risk criteria, by agreeing to supporting documentation; and
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Assessing significant estimates made by management for bias.
We also communicated relevant identified laws and regulations and potential fraud risks to all engagement team members and remained alert to any indications of fraud or non-compliance with laws and regulations throughout the audit.
Our audit procedures were designed to respond to risks of material misstatement in the financial statements, recognising that the risk of not detecting a material misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one resulting from error, as fraud may involve deliberate concealment by, for example, forgery, misrepresentations or through collusion. There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures performed and the further removed non-compliance with laws and regulations is from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, the less likely we are to become aware of it.
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THE OXFORDSHIRE CARE PARTNERSHIP
Independent auditor’s report to the members of The Oxfordshire Care Partnership (continued)
Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements (continued)
A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located at the Financial Reporting Council’s (“FRC’s”) website at:
https://www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.
Use of our report
This report is made solely to the 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.
Adam Footitt (Senior Statutory Auditor) For and on behalf of BDO LLP, statutory auditor Birmingham, UK Date: 07 July 2026
BDO LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales (with registered number OC305127).
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THE OXFORDSHIRE CARE PARTNERSHIP
Statement of Financial Activities (Incorporating an Income and Expenditure Account) for the year ended 31 March 2026
| Notes Income from: Charitable activities 2 Investments (Interest) Total Income Expenditure on: Charitable Activities 3 Total Expenditure Net (expenditure)/income for the year Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward at 31 March |
2026 Unrestricted Funds 2025 Unrestricted Funds £’000 £’000 29,497 28,932) 61 156) |
|---|---|
| 29,558 29,088) |
|
| 30,012 31,303) |
|
| 30,012 31,303) |
|
| (454) (2,215)) 1,793 4,008) |
|
| 1,339 1,793) |
All of the above results are derived from continuing activities.
All gains and losses recognised in the year are included above.
The notes on pages 20 to 26 form part of these financial statements.
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THE OXFORDSHIRE CARE PARTNERSHIP
Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2026
| Notes Fixed Assets Tangible assets Current assets 5 Debtors: due within one year Cash at bank and in hand 6 Current liabilities Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 7 Net current assets Total assets less current liabilities Net assets Funds: Unrestricted funds Total funds 9 |
2026 Unrestricted Funds £’000 2025 Unrestricted Funds £’000 236 291 85 1,925 137 2,036 |
|---|---|
| 2,010 2,173 (907) (671) |
|
| 1,103 1,502 |
|
| 1,339 1,793 |
|
| 1,339 1,793 |
|
| 1,339 1,793 |
|
| 1,339 1,793 |
The notes on pages 20 to 26 form part of these financial statements.
The financial statements of The Oxfordshire Care Partnership (Company Number 04152545) were approved by the Trustees on 6 July 2026 and signed on their behalf by:
Daniel Hayes Trustee
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THE OXFORDSHIRE CARE PARTNERSHIP
Statement of Cash Flows for the year ended 31 March 2026
| Cashflows from operating activities: Net cash (used in) operating activities Cash inflows from investing activities: Interest received Net cash from investing activities Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year Net (Loss)/Income for the year Adjustments for: Depreciation charges (Increase)/decrease in debtors Increase/(decrease) in creditors Interest received Net cash (used in) operating activities |
2026 £’000 2025 £’000 (172) (2,203)) |
|---|---|
| 61 156 |
|
| 61 156 |
|
| (111) 2,036 (2,047)) 4,083 |
|
| 1,925 2,036 |
|
| (454) (2,215) 55 55 52 (3) 236 116 (61) (156) |
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| (172) (2,203) |
The notes on pages 20 to 26 form part of these financial statements.
19
THE OXFORDSHIRE CARE PARTNERSHIP
Notes forming part of the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2026
The company is a private charitable company limited by guarantee and is registered in England and Wales. The company’s registered address is Eyre Court, Whisby Way, Lincoln, LN6 3LQ. The company’s registered number is 04152545.
1. Accounting policies
a. Basis of preparation
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Charities SORP (FRS 102) (second edition October 2019) 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, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006. The Financial Statements of the Charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS102, have been prepared on the historical cost basis. The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the accounts are set out below and any changes restated in the previous year. The accounts are presented in £ sterling.
The financial statements have been prepared up to 31 March 2026 which is within 7 days of the accounting reference period of 27 March 2026.
b. Going Concern
The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis.
Trustees have considered a number of scenarios with relation to occupancy and the impact on OCP including a full reforecast of the financial position and cashflows for the period to March 2028 and stress testing the cash position to the extreme of zero occupancy. The contractual structure of OCP is such, that the void mechanism ensures OCP can continue to cover all contractual payments. Operating risk sits with the care provider, OSJCT, and therefore Trustees are of the view that there is limited risk to OCP.
Based on the reforecasts and the available liquid resource, the Trustees believe that, while uncertainty exists, this does not pose a material uncertainty that would cast doubt on the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern for the foreseeable future, being a period of at least 12 months after the date on which the report and Financial Statements are signed. The Trustees, therefore, consider it appropriate for the accounts to be prepared on a going concern basis.
c. Company status
The Charity is a company limited by guarantee. The members of the company are the Trustees named on page 3 as well as The Orders of St John Care Trust and bpha. In the event of the Charity being wound up, the liability in respect of the guarantee is limited to £10 per member of the Charity.
20
THE OXFORDSHIRE CARE PARTNERSHIP
Notes forming part of the financial statements (continued)
Accounting Policies (continued)
d. Fund accounting
General funds are unrestricted funds, which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the Charity and which have not been designated for other purposes. Free reserves are defined as the total unrestricted funds less Fixed Assets Investment income and gains are allocated to the appropriate fund.
e. Income from charitable activities
All incoming resources are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) when the Charity is legally entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. Revenue is accounted for on the basis of invoiced charges for residential and related care services, raised in accordance with Local Authority or residents’ personal contracts and recognised over the period in which provided. Income excludes charges to private self-funding residents who occupy beds in the Charity’s homes.
f. Expenditure on charitable activities
All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they are allocated to activities on a basis consistent with use of the resources.
Residential care costs are contractual payments to OSJCT in relation to the operation of the care homes. Support costs are those costs incurred directly in support of expenditure on the objects of the Charity and include rent and planned maintenance.
g. Significant Accounting Estimates and Judgements
In determining the carrying amounts of certain assets and liabilities, the Charity makes assumptions of the effects of uncertain future events on those assets and liabilities at the balance sheet date. The Charity’s estimates and assumptions are based on historical experience and expectation of future events and are periodically reviewed.
Management consider the judgment applied to revenue recognition to be significant, in relation to whether OCP acts as principal or agent in its contractual arrangements. OCP is considered to act as principal in the contractual arrangements with OCC. Accordingly, income received from OCC is recognised in full. OCP is not considered to act as principal in the contractual arrangements with self-funded residents. Accordingly, income received from self-funded residents is not recognised.
Management considered the classification of leases between finance and operating leases, and took the judgement that all leases should be classified as operating leases.
h. Operating leases
Rentals applicable to operating leases are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities over the period in which the cost is incurred.
i. Taxation status
As a Charity, it is exempt from taxation on its charitable activities.
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THE OXFORDSHIRE CARE PARTNERSHIP
Notes forming part of the financial statements (continued)
Accounting Policies (continued)
j. Fixed Assets
- Expenditure incurred on assets held on a continuing basis for the activity of the company is capitalised where appropriate and included in fixed assets at cost. Depreciation is provided to write off the cost less residual value on a straight line basis over the useful economic life of the asset concerned.
The following rate applies:
Fixtures, fittings and equipment: 5 years. Leasehold improvements: remainder of lease.
k. Financial Instruments
The Company only has financial assets and liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value.
l. Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents includes cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other shortterm highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts, when applicable, are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.
2. Income from charitable activities
Incoming resources from charitable activities include fees for residential care from OCC and charges for the provision of services to the National Health Service. All incoming resources are from the UK.
3. Expenditure on charitable activities
| Contractual payments to OSJCT Operating lease rentals – land & buildings Planned maintenance Management fees Professional fees Depreciation Governance costs (audit fee) Property Maintenance Total charitable activities |
2026 £’000 2025 £’000 20,726 20,310 6,263 6,258 1,032 974 1,248 1,177 13 8 55 55 27 31 648 2,490 |
|---|---|
| 30,012 31,303 |
Included in Property Maintenance are several recharges from OSJCT relating to refurbishments to the OCP portfolio that were agreed by both Joint Venture partners to be met from the reserves held in OCP.
The Oxfordshire Care Partnership has no employees.
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THE OXFORDSHIRE CARE PARTNERSHIP
Notes forming part of the financial statements (continued)
4. Trustees’ remuneration
The Trustees neither received nor waived any emoluments during the year.
No out of pocket expenses were reimbursed to Trustees.
| 5. Fixed Assets Cost At 31 March 2025 At 31 March 2026 Depreciation At 31 March 2025 Depreciation charge At 31 March 2026 Net Book Value At 31 March 2025 At 31 March 2026 6. Debtors Trade debtors Other debtors and accrued income Total 7. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Trade creditors VAT Accruals and deferred income Amounts due to related undertakings Total |
2026 £’000 54 31 |
Furniture & Equipment £’000 847 |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 847 | |||
| 556 55 |
|||
| 611 | |||
| 291 | |||
| 236 | |||
| 2025 £’000 103 34 |
|||
| 85 | 137 | ||
| 2026 £’000 2025 £’000 34 141 15 13 624 48 234 469 |
|||
| 907 671 |
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THE OXFORDSHIRE CARE PARTNERSHIP
Notes forming part of the financial statements (continued)
8. Analysis of changes in net debt
| Cash at bank and in hand Cash and deposits Total |
At 1 April 2025 £’000 Cashflow £’000 At 31 March 2026 £’000 2,036 (111) 1,925 |
|---|---|
| 2,036 (111) 1,925 |
9. Operating Lease commitments
At 31 March 2026 the company had total commitments under non-cancellable operating leases as follows:
| Due within 1 year Due within 1-5 years Due in more than 5 years 10. Analysis of net assets between funds Funds balances are represented by: Fixed assets Current assets Current liabilities Total net assets |
2026 Land and Buildings £’000 2025 Land and Buildings £’000 6,265 6,266 25,059 25,063 183,310 189,256 214,634 220,585 2026 Unrestricted Funds £’000 2025 Unrestricted Funds £’000 236 291 2,010 2,173 (907) (671) |
|---|---|
| 1,339 1,793 |
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THE OXFORDSHIRE CARE PARTNERSHIP
Notes forming part of the financial statements (continued)
11. Related Party Transactions
bpha
The income and expenditure account includes the following transactions between the Charity and bpha, which is one of two equal members in the company:
| Expenditure: Property lease rentals Management fee Planned maintenance |
2026 £’000 2025 £’000 3,888 3,888 176 166 1,032 974 |
|---|---|
| 5,096 5,028 |
There were no amounts due to or from bpha at the year end.
The Orders of St John Care Trust (OSJCT)
The income and expenditure account includes the following transactions between the Charity and OSJCT, which is one of the two equal members in the company:
| Expenditure: Management fees Care services costs Property recharges The amounts due to or from OSJCT at the year-end are: Payable: Salary recharge Unitary charge Property lease rentals Property Maintenance |
2026 £’000 2025 £’000 1,072 1,011 20,726 20,310 648 2,490 |
|---|---|
| 22,446 23,811 |
|
| 2026 £’000 2025 £’000 1 1 8 11 1 225 1 456 |
|
| 235 469 |
Under the terms of the care services contract Oxfordshire County Council are contracted to purchase a minimum number of bed spaces in the OCP homes with the balance being available to OSJCT. In the event purchasing falls below these levels the Council either pay a ‘void’ rate or OSJCT has the rights to offer the bed space to the NHS, other Local Authorities or private fee payers. Any such placements by OSJCT are at £nil consideration to OCP.
25
THE OXFORDSHIRE CARE PARTNERSHIP
Notes forming part of the financial statements (continued)
Related Party Transactions (continued)
All income directly received by OSJCT and any associated risk e.g. providing required care at premium rates (agency), being exposed to doubtful debt or rising costs above contractual inflation that may arise, is the direct responsibility of OSJCT as care provider.
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