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2021-02-28-accounts

HARDEST HIT

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR CHILDREN ON THE EDGE FOR THE YEAR ENDING 28 FEBRUARY 2021

CONTENTS

1. OVERVIEW
Hardest Hit 3
2. OUR PROGRAMMES
India 4
Bangladesh 6
Myanmar 8
Uganda (Slum Communities) 10
Uganda (Kyaka II Refugee Camp) 12
Lebanon 14
3. FINANCE FUNDRAISING & GOVERNANCE
Finance 17
Fundraising 19
Safeguarding 21
Reference & Administrative Details 22
Structure, Governance & Management 23
Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities 25
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF
CHILDREN ON THE EDGE 26
Statement of Financial Activities 29
Balance Sheet 30
Cash Flow Statement 31
Notes to the Financial Statements 32

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HARDEST HIT
Children on the Edge works in coalition with Pandemic or not, the children we work with
local communities in some of the toughest face continual barriers to learning, so for us,
places in the world, transforming the lives of this was just the next set of obstacles. More
marginalised children by creating protective than 16,000 children were reconnected to
environments where they can safely live, play, quality education and support. This took the
learn and grow. form of radio lessons, phone lessons, lessons
under trees, in tents, in teachers homes and in
It will come as no surprise that this year’s student’s homes.
major focus has been responding to the
coronavirus pandemic and it’s devastating Backpacks were stuffed with colourful learning
effects in every area where we work. materials and carried to children in the most
Described as a crisis without borders, in many remote mountain areas. School bus drivers
ways events have unified the globe in dealing turned into delivery drivers, dropping
with a common threat, but in reality, the hundreds of lesson packs to the doorways of
impact of the virus continues to be starkly refugee tents.
disproportionate.
When children are free to realise their rights,
While most children from higher income they are free to thrive. This year the children
countries logged into zoom lessons as their we support have led the way in their
parents worked from home, every child we communities, identifying the most vulnerable
support has been cut off from education and households for support, educating peers on
vital services whilst facing the resulting rise of the increased threat of trafficking, conducting
abuse and exploitation. Thousands of the surveys on domestic violence, running
families we work with still lack the opportunity community handwashing workshops and
of ‘social distancing’ and, rarely considered in making videos about preventing the spread of
sweeping lockdown measures, have been the virus.
sharply cut off from food, income and
protection. This is not a crisis without borders. These examples are just the tip of the
They are the hardest hit. iceberg, and we hope that as you read
through the following pages you will be as
Children on the Edge works closely with the inspired as we have by what the children and
people and places that have the most impact communities that we work with have achieved
on the child: the family, classroom, community over the last 12 months. In a year that has
and society. At every level, we engage with brought the whole world to a standstill they
and actively involve the whole community to have been the hardest hit, but they have kept
jointly create a protective environment where going, and continued to transform their
each child can thrive. Thanks to the situations through a gritty, determined,
unwavering support of our donors this year, can-do kind of hope.
we have been able to continue to do just this.
We want to thank each and every one of our
Our partners have responded to an supporters for your generosity and your
unparalleled situation with the utmost agility solidarity with us and with these communities
and ingenuity. this year.
They worked around restrictions to deliver
over 12,500 food parcels to severely affected
households and saw how initiatives like
microloans, savings groups and Child
Protection Teams enabled thousands of Rachel Bentley Stuart Gallimore
households to withstand the worst CEO & Founder Chair of Trustees
circumstances.
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EMERGENCY FOOD DISTRIBUTION IN PATNA, INDIA
INDIA
In Bihar State, deep rooted caste OBJECTIVES
discrimination against the ‘untouchable’ Dalit
minority causes children to be ostracised from - Counter caste discrimination and
education and denied their rights. Societal enable integration to mainstream
exclusion has trapped slum communities in school through the provision of
and around Patna in a cycle of poverty and supplementary education and support.
-
low self-esteem. The last year has been one of Develop life skills, rights awareness,
the most difficult periods so far for those self expression, gender equality and
involved in the programme as lockdown has confidence in Dalit children.
-
crippled earning potential and caused Support Dalit communities to
starvation and insecurity. advocate for equality and sustainable
livelihoods through non-violent action.
-
A few hours north, on the border of Nepal, Pave the way for Dalit children on the
Dalit children are trapped in brothel border of Nepal to find a life beyond
communities with no opportunity for the confines of the red light district.
education, with the situation compounded
further with the pandemic. ACTIVITIES
PARTNERS 7,420 emergency food parcels provided to
struggling households during lockdown, and
Parivartan Kendra (PK) and Navjeevan extensive campaigns on handwashing and the
Educational and Social Welfare Society Digha prevention of virus spread carried out in
(NESWSD) in Patna. Tatvasi Samaj Nyas (TSN) programme areas.
on the Nepal border.
31 teachers in 31 learning centres (four newly
built this year) provided education for 971
children through creative means.
Three new NIOS (National Institute of Open
Schooling) centres were established giving
the chance for children to take formal Grade
8, 10 and 12 exams and access college or
university in the future.
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EMERGENCY FOOD DISTRIBUTION IN PATNA, INDIA
INDIA
In Bihar State, deep rooted caste OBJECTIVES
discrimination against the ‘untouchable’ Dalit
minority causes children to be ostracised from - Counter caste discrimination and
education and denied their rights. Societal enable integration to mainstream
exclusion has trapped slum communities in school through the provision of
and around Patna in a cycle of poverty and supplementary education and support.
-
low self-esteem. The last year has been one of Develop life skills, rights awareness,
the most difficult periods so far for those self expression, gender equality and
involved in the programme as lockdown has confidence in Dalit children.
-
crippled earning potential and caused Support Dalit communities to
starvation and insecurity. advocate for equality and sustainable
livelihoods through non-violent action.
-
A few hours north, on the border of Nepal, Pave the way for Dalit children on the
Dalit children are trapped in brothel border of Nepal to find a life beyond
communities with no opportunity for the confines of the red light district.
education, with the situation compounded
further with the pandemic. ACTIVITIES
PARTNERS 7,420 emergency food parcels provided to
struggling households during lockdown, and
Parivartan Kendra (PK) and Navjeevan extensive campaigns on handwashing and the
Educational and Social Welfare Society Digha prevention of virus spread carried out in
(NESWSD) in Patna. Tatvasi Samaj Nyas (TSN) programme areas.
on the Nepal border.
31 teachers in 31 learning centres (four newly
built this year) provided education for 971
children through creative means.
Three new NIOS (National Institute of Open
Schooling) centres were established giving
the chance for children to take formal Grade
8, 10 and 12 exams and access college or
university in the future.
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10 Child Parliaments taught 410 children about their rights, mentored them via Whatsapp through the pandemic and supported them to advocate with their peers and communities.

80 Women’s Groups trained to realise their rights, as well as saving and small business loans, parenting and preventing domestic abuse, child marriage and trafficking.

Facilitated extensive trafficking and child marriage prevention work through classroom training, local events, Child Parliaments and Women’s Groups.

A rich variety of socially distanced celebrations and competitions continued this year for hundreds of children and local community members.

Supported two education centres for children on the Nepal border, in one of Bihar’s most renowned red light areas, providing tailoring lessons for 16 adolescent girls and basic education for 63 children.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

The education programme pivoted quickly and effectively to the delivery of small batch lessons throughout lockdown, enabling over 900 children to continue to learn and perform well in their end of year exams.

In addition to hundreds of local people being linked to health support, there were 324 successful applications for ration cards for returning migrant workers and local families, enabling government assistance through lockdown.

Women’s Groups directly increased the resilience of nearly 1,000 families throughout lockdown, inspiring 490 new membership applications from friends and neighbours.

30 children passed the eligibility test for the National Institute of Open Schooling and 60 were admitted to mainstream school.

As a result of widespread research, campaigning and tracking of trafficking cases through a new helpline, there has been a direct increase in community vigilance.

FUTURE PLANS

Provide relief supplies to families affected by coronavirus.

“With the utmost resilience shown by our project staff and the community; we have been able to cover most portions of the planned syllabus in this reporting period. The conduct of classes was difficult and sometimes even impossible, yet with the cooperation of the teachers we were able to devise strategies to ensure regular learning by the children”.

Renji, Programme Manager

Child Parliaments grew in confidence, taking the lead in identifying vulnerable households for support, directly tackling rising domestic abuse, training communities on hygiene and handwashing and advocating with local authorities.

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COMMUNITY BASED LEARNING IN COX’S BAZAR
BANGLADESH
Since 2009 we have been working to provide - The provision of 178 child friendly, colourful
education and support to Rohingya refugee and creative classrooms with trained teachers.
and slum dwelling children in Bangladesh. In - Access to genuine learning enabled through
Kutupalong refugee camp, children have little the breaking down of language barriers.
access to learning and are denied a curriculum - The opportunity to express themselves,
in their own language. Many Rohingya have grow in confidence, have their voices heard
moved away from the crowded border area to and connect beyond the confines of their
‘enclave communities’ where children are cut challenging environments.
off from basic services, and slum dwelling - Improved access to basic health knowledge
children in Cox’s Bazar also face financial and and care.
practical barriers to attending school. - Participation in the running of the
programme along with parents and
All these children are in danger of growing up communities.
without education, and this year, barriers
increased further through repeated ACTIVITIES
lockdowns, which not only prevented children
from attending school, but stopped many of Distributed emergency food packages to
their parents from earning. 3,000 households struggling under lockdown.
PARTNERS: Mukti - Cox’s Bazar Pivoted all learning to home and community
batch lessons for 8,900 students.
OBJECTIVES
Constructed a four-classroom learning centre
8,900 Rohingya refugee and Bangladeshi slum for 200 children in Najirar Tek, Cox’s Bazar.
dwelling children access relevant primary
education, gaining vital knowledge and skills, Maintained 178 classrooms through
improving their everyday lives and future lockdown, planting 1,000 saplings in
opportunities. This includes: Kutupalong and ensuring all buildings, staff
and students were prepared for covid-safe
re-opening.
Teachers received training on Protection from
Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) to
6 counter the rise of domestic abuse and
trafficking over lockdown.
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COMMUNITY BASED LEARNING IN COX’S BAZAR
BANGLADESH
Since 2009 we have been working to provide - The provision of 178 child friendly, colourful
education and support to Rohingya refugee and creative classrooms with trained teachers.
and slum dwelling children in Bangladesh. In - Access to genuine learning enabled through
Kutupalong refugee camp, children have little the breaking down of language barriers.
access to learning and are denied a curriculum - The opportunity to express themselves,
in their own language. Many Rohingya have grow in confidence, have their voices heard
moved away from the crowded border area to and connect beyond the confines of their
‘enclave communities’ where children are cut challenging environments.
off from basic services, and slum dwelling - Improved access to basic health knowledge
children in Cox’s Bazar also face financial and and care.
practical barriers to attending school. - Participation in the running of the
programme along with parents and
All these children are in danger of growing up communities.
without education, and this year, barriers
increased further through repeated ACTIVITIES
lockdowns, which not only prevented children
from attending school, but stopped many of Distributed emergency food packages to
their parents from earning. 3,000 households struggling under lockdown.
PARTNERS: Mukti - Cox’s Bazar Pivoted all learning to home and community
batch lessons for 8,900 students.
OBJECTIVES
Constructed a four-classroom learning centre
8,900 Rohingya refugee and Bangladeshi slum for 200 children in Najirar Tek, Cox’s Bazar.
dwelling children access relevant primary
education, gaining vital knowledge and skills, Maintained 178 classrooms through
improving their everyday lives and future lockdown, planting 1,000 saplings in
opportunities. This includes: Kutupalong and ensuring all buildings, staff
and students were prepared for covid-safe
re-opening.
Teachers received training on Protection from
Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) to
6 counter the rise of domestic abuse and
trafficking over lockdown.
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We recruited two new staff for our digital team who set up an additional greenscreen studio in Kutupalong, produced a year’s worth of lessons and created vital coronavirus

The children’s online communication platform ‘Moja Kids’ was set up with their own website, they helped to create videos about proper hand washing in the camps and we have taken the first steps in making connections with children in other countries.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

We had 98% attendance at our small batch lessons, which enabled thousands of children to reconnect with education and allowed teachers to check on their safety and wellbeing during lockdown. Of those interviewed,

70% of parents said they have acted to make changes at their children’s schools, reflecting strong community ownership.

FUTURE PLANS

“We thought that the

coronavirus was a round animal which enters the human body and kills people, so we were very scared when we saw signs of the virus. But we found out through our madam [teacher] that it is not an animal, it is a virus.”

Children’s feedback from Kutupalong

Interviews reflect how the awareness videos and teacher input have helped to dispel myths about the coronavirus.

112 children in Cox’s Bazar received their PECE certificates (Primary School Certificate Exams).

In 2020’s AbilityNet Tech4Good awards, our digital education programme was chosen for the Lenovo Education Award, recognising outstanding digital achievement in education.

Developed our Monitoring and Evaluation programme introducing in-depth Focus Group Discussions, panel design and digital data collection.

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BACKPACKS FOR TEACHERS TO TRANSPORT LEARNING ACTIVITIES IN REMOTE VILLAGES
MYANMAR
Due to years of civil conflict in Kachin State in OBJECTIVES
Myanmar, over 100,000 internally displaced
-
people remain trapped in remote mountain Ensure stability for young children
camps, facing increasingly desperate living in a conflict environment and
conditions. Displaced children under the age recovery from trauma, enabling them
of six have known little else but war and its to enjoy being children in a vibrant,
resulting trauma. Whilst there is some primary safe place each day.
-
education in these camps, there is no early Provide access to quality early
years provision, at a crucial time in their learning, preparing children for
development. transition to existing primary schools.
-
Support parents and community
Problems associated with coronavirus members in their care of children and
lockdown this year have been exacerbated by encourage them to contribute to
near-total restrictions on aid in management of the centres, ensuring
rebel-controlled areas, where clean water and long-term sustainability.
-
sanitation is inadequate and there are little to Develop the strength, knowledge and
no health services. After February’s coup by agility of our partners in dealing with
the Myanmar military those we support have arising issues.
remained safe, but with intermittent internet
blackouts and a banking freeze, contact and ACTIVITIES
progress has been even more of a challenge.
The 15 Early Childhood Development (ECD)
centres we support in 9 internally displaced
PARTNERS - Kachin Development Group
people’s (IDP) camps were routinely closed
(KDG) and Kachin Women’s Association (KWA)
due to coronavirus, so we:
-
Provided backpacks for 65 teachers to
travel to children’s homes to deliver
colourful playing and learning kits.
-
Developed a home learning
programme and training plans for
parents with regular coaching from
teachers.
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Supported 104 ECD Committee members with training and advice.

Resourced all 15 centres with new play materials ready for re-opening.

Facilitated bi-monthly parenting workshops for 29 parents.

Provided raincoats and wellington boots for 440 children to help them manage in the seasonal, torrential rain and mud.

Delivered warm winter clothes for 412 children to protect them from the cold.

Provided 32 teachers with a five-day refresher training course to keep them motivated and ensure their knowledge and practice is up to date.

Began to create a set of Early Childhood Development operational guidelines with consideration for the local context and situation.

Programme staff used lockdown time to study child development, child rights, parenting, how to respond to coronavirus and critical thinking for early years teachers.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

Adapting early learning programmes in the most remote conditions has been an incredible feat from staff, teachers and parents who ensured that all the children have been able to continue learning, playing and developing through lockdown.

Pre lockdown mobile phone training meant that teachers and programme staff managed to maintain regular contact throughout restrictions even in the several areas that remain completely inaccessible.

FUTURE PLANS

“I am not happy when I stay at home. I have no friends at

home. I am really happy when I go to school that I can play, sleep, eat when I get up, and do singing, painting and watching cartoon movies.” 5 year old Tangbau Brang San

Community ownership has been maintained with parents and ECD Committees continuing to help with renovations and the creation of indoor and outdoor supplies where possible.

Facilitators observed that parents' attitudes towards their children gradually changed for the better throughout the months that they engaged with the parenting course.

The staff’s extra study through lockdown improved their self-confidence and motivation during consequent monitoring trips where they shared what they had learned and provided more informed feedback for teachers.

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DOORSTEP LESSONS IN JINJA, UGANDA
UGANDA (SLUM COMMUNITIES)
In the slum communities surrounding Jinja, On a national level - Address gaps in
dwellers face poor sanitation, low employment legislation regarding child sacrifice.
and high crime rates. The majority of
households struggle to access education for ACTIVITIES
their children, often experiencing a
disconnection from local services and a lack of Continued to support, train and resource
awareness regarding effective child protection. Child Protection Teams in five slum
In short, many children are at risk of abuse, communities.
neglect and exploitation. These issues were
further compounded this year by repeated Delivered fortnightly food parcels for 100
lockdowns; shutting down schools, elderly-headed households struggling under
government services and cutting households lockdown.
off from earning opportunities.
In response to the rise in domestic violence
over lockdown, Child Protection Teams
PARTNERS - Children on the Edge Africa
received extra training, community workshops
OBJECTIVES were held for over 800 people and
counselling provided for victims.
At a local level - Support five slum
Child Protection Teams increased door to
communities to create protective
door sensitisation work and case follow ups as
environments for their children, through
government support systems ceased under
voluntary Child Protection Teams who work in
lockdown putting children at risk.
each area to develop:
-
Child protection training and the
Three Child Rights Clubs were given ongoing
creation of a safe environment.
- support, trained in child rights, advocacy and
Improved relationships between
how to protect themselves from the virus.
communities and service providers.
-
Economic stability for struggling
Small business loans were provided for 79
households.
struggling households and extra support
- Access to education for children.
given as enterprises were hit by lockdown.
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FUTURE PLANS

Our early years learning programme pivoted from the two Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres we support to doorstep lessons and wellbeing check-ins from teachers, termly home learning packs delivered for 180 children and training for parents.

We continued campaigning to pass The Prevention and Prohibition of Human Sacrifice Bill 2020 along with partner organisations.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

91% of parents reported children worked well in home lessons and they were pleased with their progress, including positive changes like improved handwriting, reading, counting, matching and drawing. By the second term parents were trained in conducting lessons themselves and 80% of children fully completed their work.

Attendance at regular community workshops more than doubled in Loco, Masese I and Wandago and Child Protection Team training attendance across all areas increased from 79% to 98%.

This year’s ‘Most Significant Change’ evaluation reflected transformations in peoples’ parenting, their businesses and their ability to save. People also talked about wider community transformation in hygiene and sanitation and the combating of domestic abuse.

93% of small business loan participants say they can now feed their children twice a day and by January 2021, 80% of this year’s loans had been fully recovered. Savings groups are reflecting success by taking on bigger development projects like housing.

Child Rights Club members grew in confidence this year and have worked effectively both with their Child Protection Teams and with each other, referring many child protection cases and advocating widely with their peers and the wider community on child protection issues.

Support the final stages of the passing of The Prevention and Prohibition of Human Sacrifice Bill.

“People also used to fight a lot, men used to drink recklessly and would resort to beating their spouses and children. When Children on the Edge Africa came, they taught us how to live harmoniously, and about children’s rights and other human rights. We started inviting both men and women to the community workshops, and people in the community learnt that domestic violence interrupts the rights of children”.

Kasoybia Aisha - Masese II

The Prevention and Prohibition of Human Sacrifice Bill had the certificate of financial implications endorsed by August 2020 and reached first reading.

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CHILDREN ON THE EDGE AFRICA PLANNING OUT THE NEW BUILDINGS
UGANDA (KYAKA II REFUGEE CAMP)
Escalation of conflict in the Democratic
-
Republic of Congo, has resulted in a Provide them with child-friendly early
continuous refugee influx over the last four learning using the national ECD
years and Uganda currently hosts more than Framework, imparting critical
1.4 million displaced people. numeracy, literacy and social skills that
will help them in the future.
-
Across 30 communities in Kyaka II refugee Support community structures to take
settlement, parents have been trying their best ownership of the programme through
to provide early learning for their youngest the development of Centre
children, but most of the buildings they use Management Committees (CMCs).
-
are dilapidated and many teachers were Renovate 30 venues into bright,
untrained. Thousands of 3-6 year olds have colourful centres.
-
nowhere safe to go during the day and are Train 180 local refugees to teach and
missing out on education and support at this gain accredited qualifications.
-
crucial stage of their development. Generate additional, sustainable
income for teachers through small
PARTNERS - Children on the Edge Africa and business loans.
LILE INAM ECD Consultancy
ACTIVITIES
OBJECTIVES
Provided 4,500 children with home learning
-
Ensure the healthy development and packs in response to the closure of Early
wellbeing of over 5,000 young Childhood Development (ECD) centres during
Congolese refugee children, helping the coronavirus lockdown and ensured
them to improve their mental and teacher visits to support parents and check on
physical wellbeing, express children’s safety and wellbeing.
themselves, process any trauma, play
and enjoy being children. Facilitated the airing of early learning lessons
five days a week on local radio throughout all
30 zones where we work, distributing 200
solar powered radios for households with no
access.
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Delivered two rounds of supply parcels to 188 elderly-headed households struggling through lockdown.

Continued covid-safe teacher training for 90 teachers through the use of self study and peer cluster groups, with 34 sitting university exams in early 2021.

Recruited an additional 90 teachers for the development of a new cluster learning programme.

Partnered with Haileybury Youth Trust in the building of four new Early Childhood Development centres using sustainable methods, training 16 refugee apprentices in construction and handing the newly built venues back to the communities. Building has already commenced at six new sites with 16 newly recruited apprentices.

Facilitated Centre Management Committee (CMC) meetings and provided intensive training for 294 members on the core concepts around Early Childhood Development (ECD), child rights, gender responsiveness and child abuse.

Provided 28 small business loans for teachers to generate independent sustainable incomes.

Organised child protection training for 70 key participants in the Early Childhood Development programme.

PERFORMANCE AND ACHIEVEMENT

93% of children said they enjoyed listening to the radio lessons and 100% of parents felt it was beneficial for the children during lockdown.

The four new centres were completed successfully in spite of coronavirus restrictions, in conjunction with local communities who are thrilled to have a colourful airy space for children to learn.

16 refugee apprentices achieved their certificates, with some going on to find immediate employment.

Finding creative ways to provide education through lockdown led to the formulation of a pilot cluster group model, where small groups of children learn in safe spaces in the community, allowing us to meet the educational needs of hundreds of additional children that cannot be served by a small number of buildings.

FUTURE PLANS

Develop digital learning in the centres and scale up the new cluster learning programme throughout the 10 zone pilot area to all 30 communities, training the new teachers and utilising tablets as a teaching resource.

There are now fully functioning, trained and engaged Centre Management Committees at each one of the 30 centres we support.

The 28 small business loans given out to teachers through lockdown proved to be a great success and 26 have been paid back.

13

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NEW COMPUTER CENTRE AT THE SCHOOL IN ZAHLE, LEBANON
LEBANON
Lebanon not only hosts an estimated 1.5 OBJECTIVES
million Syrian refugees, but is now facing its
-
worst economic crisis in modern history and Bridge the education gap for Syrian
the consequences are becoming increasingly refugee children and prepare them for
serious. In August 2020 the capital of Beirut the future by ensuring quality
suffered a devastating chemical explosion and education, with trained teachers from
the coronavirus pandemic and its resulting their own community.
-
lockdowns have put further pressure on a Enable refugee children to feel safe
society where currently 50% of citizens are and secure despite the volatile
living in poverty. situation, and begin to recover from
the trauma of war.
-
In the midst of this, Syrian refugee children Provide Syrian refugees with valuable
living in the informal settlements of Bekaa teaching skills, ownership of education
Valley continue to face barriers to education provision and an income for their
and support. Their families have been under families.
-
increasing pressure to return home, despite Provide vocational training and IT skills
Syria’s shattered infrastructure, desperate to resource children for a potential
economy and the risk of conscription and return to Syria.
random arrests.
ACTIVITIES
PARTNERS - TRIUMPHANT MERCY
Supported our partners to deliver food for
over 1,000 families struggling through
lockdown.
Provided quality education for 211 Syrian
children. With repeated lockdowns this year
education took the form of:
-
Shift system learning at the school we
support in Zahle.
-
Home based learning in the camps
with homework packs delivered by
14 school bus drivers and regular teacher
visits.
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NEW COMPUTER CENTRE AT THE SCHOOL IN ZAHLE, LEBANON
LEBANON
Lebanon not only hosts an estimated 1.5 OBJECTIVES
million Syrian refugees, but is now facing its
-
worst economic crisis in modern history and Bridge the education gap for Syrian
the consequences are becoming increasingly refugee children and prepare them for
serious. In August 2020 the capital of Beirut the future by ensuring quality
suffered a devastating chemical explosion and education, with trained teachers from
the coronavirus pandemic and its resulting their own community.
-
lockdowns have put further pressure on a Enable refugee children to feel safe
society where currently 50% of citizens are and secure despite the volatile
living in poverty. situation, and begin to recover from
the trauma of war.
-
In the midst of this, Syrian refugee children Provide Syrian refugees with valuable
living in the informal settlements of Bekaa teaching skills, ownership of education
Valley continue to face barriers to education provision and an income for their
and support. Their families have been under families.
-
increasing pressure to return home, despite Provide vocational training and IT skills
Syria’s shattered infrastructure, desperate to resource children for a potential
economy and the risk of conscription and return to Syria.
random arrests.
ACTIVITIES
PARTNERS - TRIUMPHANT MERCY
Supported our partners to deliver food for
over 1,000 families struggling through
lockdown.
Provided quality education for 211 Syrian
children. With repeated lockdowns this year
education took the form of:
-
Shift system learning at the school we
support in Zahle.
-
Home based learning in the camps
with homework packs delivered by
14 school bus drivers and regular teacher
visits.
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Conducted summer and mid term exams for students and supported 13 Grade 9 students to cross the border to Syria for their high school exams.

Built a new computer room, installed 20 computers, trained teachers in IT and restarted classes in July for 180 students.

Facilitated summer catch up programme for 200 children with crafts, sport, dance and a headstart on their vocational subjects.

From September 2020, delivered vocational sewing and carpentry lessons for 160 students and sports sessions (on a newly tarmacked play space) for 180 students.

Started a new ‘Shine for Girls’ programme for girls aged 12 -14 to develop their self esteem

Contributed to the work of our partners in the aftermath of the Beirut blast, providing emergency supplies to 750 affected families and repairs to 520 damaged homes.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

All 13 Grade 9 students passed their high school exams in Syria and three made the prestigious honours list.

140 other students were able to take Arabic, Maths and English exams in August. 85% passed, which is exceptional considering all the challenges they have faced.

100% of children interviewed said that they always enjoy school and also describe using what they have learned outside of school in positive ways.

Parents described how their home environments have become calmer and more positive as a result of the school improving the self esteem and happiness of their children.

Syrian refugee teachers noted how taking on this role has not only given them practical skills, but confidence, purpose, pride, social status, independence and an improved

FUTURE PLANS

Further equip our partners with resources to expand and diversify their own fundraising, enabling them to sustain the programme.

“At the beginning the children asked “What future”? We’re in a camp, we can’t do anything, but now after lessons they have a sense of identity and hope for the future.” -

Anon Syrian refugee teacher

As a reflection of confidence, 81% of children also felt it was likely or ‘very likely’ that they could get jobs in their chosen professions.

15

“I feel my children have not lost anything during coronavirus because we have been listening to the ECD radio programme on a daily basis.” Butoto - Parent from Buliti A, Kyaka II, Uganda 16

FINANCE

INCOME BREAKDOWN

----- Start of picture text -----
GRANTS & FEES
£699,307 (30%)
INDIVIDUAL & GIFTS IN KIND
£703,123 (30%)
CORPORATES
£932,222 (40%)
OTHER INC EVENTS
& MERCHANDISE
£18,873 (0.005%)
TOTAL INCOME: £2,353,525
----- End of picture text -----

Children on the Edge is in a strong position to serve the needs of the most marginalised and vulnerable children around the world despite the ongoing challenges created by the COVID pandemic.

This is only possible because of the ongoing generosity of supporters, from one-off donors to those who give every month, businesses of all sizes, trusts and institutional funders as well as those who give their time whether in the office (when allowed) or at events of any kind. We deeply appreciate every single one of you. Thank you.

INCOME

Our donors responded with huge generosity to the increased need created by the COVID pandemic. We grew our income by just over 5% on the previous year to £2,353,525 which enabled us to maintain programmes and respond directly to the needs of the crisis.

EXPENDITURE SPLIT:

We maintained a broad base of support thus ensuring the stability of the organisation.

EXPENDITURE

----- Start of picture text -----
PROJECTS
£1,696,671 (89%)
FUNDRAISING
£199,280 (11%)
----- End of picture text -----

TOTAL EXPENDITURE: £1,895,951

Overall programme spending has increased by over just over 30% to £1,895,951. This is due to a number of factors:

PARENTS FORM SCHOOL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES AND MEET TO DISCUSS THEIR CHILDREN’S EDUCATION IN KUTUPALONG, BANGLADESH

17

23

FINANCE

RESTRICTED FUNDS

As a result of the increase in expenditure, as previously forecast, the restricted funds balance has reduced from £914,897 to £632,880.

We currently hold restricted balances for our work in Bangladesh, Lebanon and Kachin State, Myanmar and India. The largest of these restrictions applies to our work with the Rohingya in Bangladesh (balance of £361,206) which is also our largest programme.

We do not foresee any problems in reducing these to zero over the coming years.

DESIGNATED FUNDS

We continue to designate funds to programme locations and the UK office to maintain the sustainability of and commitment to programmes. The level of designation considers any restricted balance, the volatility of a situation and potential funding sources. Generally designations are between 3 and 9 months of the forecast annual expenditure.

The COVID-19 crisis has increased the volatility of all programme locations and funding sources therefore, before considering restricted balances, we have designated 9 months of forecast costs to each location to help ensure project sustainability.

RESERVES POLICY

INVESTMENT POLICY AND OBJECTIVES

Reserves are required to ensure the continued smooth operation of the charity, to cope with any unexpected eventualities and to enable any one off expenditure that is deemed appropriate for the charity.

The trustees have agreed that in addition to any designated funds the free reserve balance should ideally be no more than 25% of the coming year’s forecast expenditure. The current level of free reserves is 5% of the 2021-2022 forecast expenditure and therefore at an acceptable level.

FUND BALANCES AS OF 28/02/2021

Restricted Funds: £632,880 Designated Funds: £1,555,006 Free Reserves: £108,396 Total Funds: £2,296,282

In 2020-2021 the charity achieved an income of £2,269 from its deposit account interest.

In general, any fund balances are kept in instant access accounts so that they are always available to be utilised should the need arise.

When balances allow, or where funds are restricted to specific projects, it may be necessary to hold them for longer periods of time. In these cases, the management and trustees of Children on the Edge may decide to invest a portion of these funds.

When investing funds, risks will be considered and minimised in all circumstances. Typically funds are invested in fixed year bonds in banks protected under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).

We will not invest in companies or funds that operate in the Tobacco, Armaments or Pornographic Industry and will always look to invest in socially responsible investments.

18

FUNDRAISING

Our objective for 2020 / 2021 was to raise £1,988,727 across a diverse base of funding.

PRINCIPLE FUNDING SOURCES

Plus nominal income from other sources.

We are registered with the Fundraising Regulator and comply with all the relevant standards set out in the Code of Fundraising Practice. All fundraising staff receive training relating to the Code of Practise during induction, and relevant implementation policies (eg Finance policy, Fundraising Complaints policy) are reviewed each year with the fundraising team. Any areas of concern regarding compliance are raised with the COO and the trustees.

In the year 2020/2021 we received one minor complaint; relating to a supporter who held a fundraising event in support of the charity within a corporate partnership. The complaint was responded to within 10 days. Each year we report the number of complaints received to the Fundraising Regulator. Any serious complaints are escalated to COO and trustees.

HOW WE PROTECT VULNERABLE PEOPLE

OUR APPROACH TO FUNDRAISING

Our fundraising team works to raise funds in a number of different ways; engaging individual donors, soliciting gifts from foundations and trusts, a growing regular giving scheme, strategic corporate partnerships as well as community fundraising and challenge events.

We do not engage the services of ‘professional fundraising’ businesses; all our fundraising activity is delivered by our own fundraising team. We do work with commercial participators; when doing so conducting due diligence and reviewing agreements annually.

We are signed up to the Fundraising Preference Service to enable individuals to opt out from receiving fundraising communications from us. We do not produce mass mailings with donation asks, any fundraising campaigns are led through email newsletters where there is a clear process to opt out of future newsletters.

We are in the process of reviewing and publishing a vulnerable persons policy to guide our fundraising and communications teams conduct with potentially vulnerable supporters.

www.childrenontheedge.org Registered charity no. 1101441 Tel: +44 (0) 1243 538530

19

FUNDRAISING

FUNDRAISING HIGHLIGHTS

As the UK went into lockdown in March 2020, at the start of our financial year, we focused our time and resources into building strong relationships with our supporters; and increasing the ways we could connect with them online.

This approach enabled us to pivot so many face to face fundraising events into virtual events which helped us to raise an incredible £864,552 with our partnership with The Body Shop at Home ™. We are so grateful to our growing “Ambassador” programme within the partnership that helped to champion so much virtual fundraising in 2020.

Without physical events, our supporters were creative in raising funds virtually, and most significantly we were delighted to have so many children supporting the charity in 2020 with virtual runs and walks.

We are grateful to so many grant makers and individuals who generously responded to the COVID-19 crisis and donated to help us respond to the emergent and ever changing needs of the communities we support.

We were delighted to be awarded a second grant from the Postcode Global Trust; a significant investment of £250,000. We are so thankful to players of the People’s Postcode Lottery which funds the Postcode Global Trust. Funds will support safe spaces and quality education for Syrian children and boost our Early Years education programme with Congolese refugee children in Kyaka II.

We ran our second matched giving campaign with The Big Give in December, investing in education for Dalit children in India. With thanks to matching funders; The Charles Jacob Charitable Trust, Pacific Star Charitable Trust and The Coles-Medlock Foundation, we were able to connect with new donors, inspire more than 150 donations and raise an incredible £44,432 during the campaign.

THE BODY SHOP AT HOME ™ CONFERENCE SHOW 20 THEIR SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN ON THE EDGE

SAFEGUARDING

As an organisation that works to advance children’s rights, we recognise the need to ensure that safeguarding considerations are part of everything that we do and that we need an organisational culture which enables this to happen. We continue to work closely with all our partners to ensure compliance with global safeguarding standards and timely reporting of incidents to donors and the Charity Commission.

SERIOUS INCIDENT REPORTS

During the year there were no serious incidents to report to the Charity Commission.

There were no safeguarding incidents reported in the year.

Our Code of Conduct sets out clear expectations for all employees, volunteers and partners, who understand that action will be taken if they do not uphold these standards.

21

REFERENCE & ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER 4996130 (England and Wales)

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER

1101441

REGISTERED OFFICE

5 The Victoria, 25 St Pancras, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 7LT

CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Rachel Bentley

COMPANY SECRETARY

Ben Wilkes

TRUSTEES

Mr Stuart Gallimore - Chair Mrs Helen Pattinson Mr Paul Suter Ms Sarah Wickens Mr William (Walter) Jones Mr Alan Finch (Resigned 25/06/2020)

AUDITORS

Scott Vevers Ltd, 65 East Street, Bridport, Dorset DT6 3LB

BANKERS

CAF Bank, PO Box 289, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent ME19 4TA Barclays Bank, 74/75 East Street, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 1HR

22

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT

Children on the Edge is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 16 December 2003, company registration No. 4996130, Charity Registration No. 1101441. The company was established under the Memorandum of Association, which established the objects and powers of the charitable company and is governed under its Articles of Association.

The trustees who are also directors of the Charity for the purposes of the Companies Act, have prepared their report and the audited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 28th February 2020 to meet all statutory requirements, including the requirements for a directors’ report and accounts for Companies Act purposes.

They have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in notes to the accounts and comply with the charity’s governing document, the Charities Act 2011 and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).

The trustees confirm that they have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the trust’s aims and objectives and in planning future activities.

RECRUITMENT AND APPOINTMENT OF NEW TRUSTEES

The Memorandum and Articles of Association allow for no less than three trustees to be appointed. Trustees all serve for a period of three years at which point the Articles of Association require them to resign as a trustee and seek re-election if they wish to continue to act. New trustees are nominated by members of the board of trustees, interviewed and appointed where they are found to have the necessary skills to contribute to the charity's management and development. Induction and training of new trustees:

When new trustees are appointed they are given an introduction to the work of the charity and provided with an information pack. This includes information about the role of trustees and charity law.

ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE

Each trustee takes responsibility for monitoring the charity's activities, and where appropriate the trustees form sub committees for specific operational areas. The main sub committee is the finance and governance committee, which meets at least twice a year.

This committee reports action points to Board meetings, which are also held at least twice a year. The charity's Chief Executive is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the charity and manages the staff of the charity on behalf of the trustees.

23

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT

WIDER NETWORK

The charity's head office is in Chichester, with an overseas office in Thailand. The charity has a number of principal partner organisations with whom it cooperates to deliver its programmes. These organisations are laid out in the Programmes section of this document.

The trustees have also examined other operational and business risks that the charity faces and confirmed the establishment of systems to mitigate these, should they occur.

With international operations, travel and civil unrest in project locations present the most likely risk with policies and insurance, so we have regular checks to mitigate these.

PAY POLICY FOR SENIOR STAFF

The Board of Directors, who are the charity’s trustees, and the senior management team comprise the key management personnel of the charity in charge of directing and controlling, running and operating the organisation on a day to day basis. All trustees give their time freely and no director received remuneration in the year.

The risk of the impact of the departure of key staff is mitigated through creating a strong working culture and environment as well as succession planning and engaging all staff in the vision, strategy and plans.

Our budget and regularly reviewed fundraising plans, as well as reserves ensure we have adequate funding. Strict policies and controls help reduce the risk of any financial fraud or mismanagement in project locations.

The pay of the senior staff is reviewed annually and normally increased in accordance with average earnings. In view of the nature of the charity, the directors benchmark against pay levels in other charities of a similar size. The remuneration bench-mark is the mid-point of the range paid for similar roles adjusted for a weighting of up to 30% for any additional responsibilities. If recruitment has proven difficult in the recent past, a market addition is also paid with the pay maximum no greater than the highest benchmarked salary for a comparable role.

RISK MANAGEMENT

The trustees actively review the major risks that the charity faces on a regular basis and believe that maintaining the free reserves stated, combined with the annual review of the controls over key financial systems, will provide sufficient resources in the event of adverse conditions.

24

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES

Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the trustees have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with the United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law). The financial statements are required by law to give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the surplus or deficit of the charitable company for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to:

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.

STATEMENT AS TO DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION TO AUDITORS

So far as the trustees are aware, there is no relevant information of which the charitable company's auditors are unaware. Each trustee has taken all the steps that they ought to have taken as a trustee, in order to make them aware of any audit information and to establish that the charitable company's auditors are aware of that information.

AUDITORS

The auditors, Scott Vevers will be proposed for re-appointment in accordance with Section 487 of the Companies Act 2006.

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy, at any time, the financial position of the charitable company and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006.

This report has been prepared in accordance with the small companies regime under the Companies Act 2006.

On behalf of the board:

They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Stuart Gallimore, Chair of Trustees Date: 24 June 2021

25

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF CHILDREN ON THE EDGE

Opinion

Conclusions relating to going concern

We have audited the financial statements of Children On The Edge for the year ended 28[th] February 2021 set out on pages 29 to 40. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice), 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

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.

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.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Other information

The trustees are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the trustees’ annual report, 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.

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is 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 or a material misstatement of the other information. 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.

26

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF CHILDREN ON THE EDGE

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the fnancial statements

In the light of our 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 directors’ report.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters to which the Charities Act 2011 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

We have been appointed as auditor under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and report in accordance with regulations made under section 154 of that Act.

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.

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the Trustees’ Responsibilities Statement set out on page 25, 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 a 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.

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:

Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.

27 28

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF CHILDREN ON THE EDGE

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

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charity’s trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charity’s trustees 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 charity and the charitable company’s trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Scott Vevers Ltd Chartered Accountants & Statutory Auditors 65 East Street Bridport Dorset DT6 3LB

Date: 15 July 2021

Scott Vevers Ltd is eligible to act as an auditor in terms of section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006.

28

28

Children on the Edge

Statement of Financial Activities (Incorporating an Income and Expenditure Account) for the Year Ended 28 February 2021

Notes
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM:
Donations and legacies
2
Charitable activities
3
Other trading activities
4
Investments: deposit account interest
Other income
5
Total income
EXPENDITURE ON:
Raising funds
Cost of generating voluntary income
6
Charitable activities
Provision of services to vulnerable children
7
Other expenditure - foreign currency losses
Total expenditure
Net income
Gross transfers between funds
14
Net Movement in Funds for the year
Total funds:
Brought forward
Carried forward		 Unrestricted
funds
£
1,130,873
70,900
7,877
2,269
(23,625)
1,188,294
199,280
249,423
-
448,703
739,591
-
739,591
923,811
1,663,402		 Restricted
funds
£
504,972
660,259
-
-
-
1,165,231
-
1,447,248
-
1,447,248
(282,017)
-
(282,017)
914,897
632,880		 2021
Total
funds
£
1,635,845
731,159
7,877
2,269
(23,625)
2,353,525
199,280
1,696,671
-
1,895,951
457,574
-
457,574
1,838,708
2,296,282		 2020
Total
funds
£
1,185,949
960,366
54,899
2,102
24,912
2,228,228
193,009
1,261,563
-
1,454,572
773,656
-
773,656
1,065,052
1,838,708

The notes on pages 32 to 40 form an integral part of these financial statements.

29

Children on the Edge

Balance Sheet as at 28 February 2021

Company Registration No. 4996130

Note
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
11
Current assets
Debtors
12
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors:
Amounts falling due within one year
13
Net current assets
Net assets
Funds
Restricted funds
14
Unrestricted funds
14
Total funds		 £
£
3,385
36,684
2,276,943
2,313,627
(20,730)
2,292,897
2,296,282
632,880
1,663,402
2,296,282
2021		 £
£
8,781
36,199
1,818,853
1,855,052
(25,125)
1,829,927
1,838,708
914,897
923,811
1,838,708
2020		 £
£
8,781
36,199
1,818,853
1,855,052
(25,125)
1,829,927
1,838,708
914,897
923,811
1,838,708
2020
1,838,708
914,897
923,811
1,838,708

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to small companies subject to the small companies regime and in accordance with FRS102 SORP. The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act with respect to accounting records and preparation of accounts.

Whilst the company was entitled to exemption from audit under s477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies and the members have not required the company to obtain an audit under section 476 of the Act, the company is subject to audit under the Charities Act 2011.

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees on …...................... and signed on its behalf by: 24 June 2021

.........................................

Mr S Gallimore - Trustee

The notes on pages 32 to 40 form an integral part of these financial statements.

30

Children on the Edge Statement of Cash Flows as at 28 February 2021

Note
£
£
Net cash flow from operating activities
16
455,821
Cash flow from investing activities
Payments to acquire tangible fixed assets
-
Interest received
2,269
Net cash flow from investing activities
2,269
Net increase / (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
458,090
Cash and cash equivalents at 1 March 2020
1,818,853
Cash and cash equivalents at 28 February 2021
2,276,943
2021		 £
£
770,615
-
2,102
2,102
772,717
1,046,136
1,818,853
2020		 £
£
770,615
-
2,102
2,102
772,717
1,046,136
1,818,853
2020
772,717
1,046,136
1,818,853

The notes on pages 32 to 40 form an integral part of these financial statements.

31

Children on the Edge Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 28 February 2021

1 General information

Children On The Edge is a company, limited by guarantee, incorporated in England and Wales under the Companies Act 2006 and Charities Act 2011. The address of the registered office is provided in Reference and administrative details. Details of the charity’s operations are provided in the Report of the Trustees.

Accounting policies

The principal accounting policies adopted, judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty in the preparation of the financial statements are as follows:

Basis of preparation

The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102. The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis under the historical cost convention and in accordance with 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), (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Companies Act 2006 and the Charities Act 2011.

Incoming resources

All incoming resources are included on the Statement of Financial Activities when the charity is legally entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. Donated assets and services are included at the value of essential expenditure that has been saved as a result of that gift.

Classification of expenditure

Expenditure is recognised when a liability is incurred. Funding provided through contractual agreements and performance related grants are recognised as goods or services as supplied. Other grant payments are recognised when a constructive obligation arises that results in the payment being unavoidable. Support costs include central functions and have been allocated to activity cost categories on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Costs of raising funds are those costs incurred in attracting voluntary income. Governance costs include those incurred in the governance of its assets and are primarily associated with constitutional and statutory requirements.

Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less depreciation. Assets costing less than £1000 are written off in the year of purchase. Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life as follows: Plant and machinery - 33% on cost

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.

Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the trustees for particular purposes. The aim and use of each designated fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.

Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.

Foreign currencies

Profit and loss account transactions in foreign currencies are translated into Sterling at the exchange rate ruling at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into Sterling at the closing rates at the balance sheet date and the exchange differences are included in the profit and loss account.

Operating leases

Rentals payable under operating leases are charged in the profit and loss account on a straight line basis over the lease term.

Pensions

The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities as they become payable in accordance with the rules of the scheme.

Going Concern

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis as the trustees believe that no material uncertainties exist. The trustees have considered the level of funds held and the expected level of income and expenditure for 12 months from authorising these financial statements. The budgeted income and expenditure is sufficient with the level of reserves for the charity to be able to continue as a going concern.

32

Children on the Edge Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 28 February 2021

2 Donations and legacies

Gifts from individuals
Corporate fundraising activity
Gifts and services in kind		 2021
£
702,811
932,722
312
1,635,845		 2020
£
694,786
490,683
480
1,185,949

Voluntary income includes monies raised through business activity from our corporate partners where a donation or an advertised amount from the sale of certain goods is donated to the charity.

Gifts and services in kind represent good and services donated by supporters.

3 Income from charitable activities

Activity
Grants
Provision of services to vulnerable children
Volunteer fees
Provision of services to vulnerable children
4
Other trading activities
Fundraising events
Sale of merchandise
5
Other income
Employers relief
Sale of assets
Impact of Covid
Foreign currency gains
6
Costs of raising funds
Fundraising costs
Staff costs
Support costs		 2021
£
731,659
(500)
731,159
2021
£
7,396
481
7,877
2021
£
4,000
-
4,727
(32,352)
(23,625)
2021
£
30,194
157,027
12,059
199,280		 2020
£
959,866
500
960,366
2020
£
53,829
1,070
54,899
2020
£
3,000
8,421
-
13,491
24,912
2020
£
49,812
129,881
13,316
193,009

33

Children on the Edge Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 28 February 2021

7 Charitable activities costs

Provision of services to vulnerable children
Direct costs
Grant funded activities (see below)
Staff costs (including travel)
Support costs
Governance costs
The functional split of support costs is as follows:
Communications
Staff costs
Accommodation costs
Office costs
Insurance
Accountancy
Depreciation and profit on sale of tangible fixed assets
Apportioned to fundraising and governance costs
The functional split of governance costs is as follows:
Staff costs
Support costs
Legal costs
Auditor’s remuneration		 2021
£
334,648
998,084
240,417
106,524
16,998
1,696,671
£
3,395
53,606
26,562
14,273
1,755
17,617
5,395
(16,079)
106,524
£
6,936
4,020
114
5,928
16,998		 2020
£
203,648
653,884
281,730
107,911
14,390
1,261,563
£
3,765
54,156
17,527
25,347
2,472
12,985
6,454
(14,795)
107,911
£
6,424
1,480
726
5,760
14,390

8 Grants payable

The grants payable to organisations working with vulnerable children during the year were as follows:

Mutki (Bangladesh)
Rohingya Children’s Education Programme (Bangladesh)
Kachin Development Group (Burma)
Parivartan Kendra (India)
Navjeevan Educational and Social Welfare Society (India)
Tatvasi Samaj Nyas (India)
Miscellaneous grants (Bangladesh)
Miscellaneous grants (Lebanon)
Miscellaneous grants (Thailand)
Foundation Notre Dame Du Perpetual Secours (Haiti)
Triumphant Mercy (Lebanon)
9
Resources expended
Operating profit is stated after charging:
Other operating leases
The audit of the company's annual accounts
Depreciation of owned assets		 2021
£
627,020
-
39,083
15,687
108,540
9,469
-
-
12,297
-
185,988
998,084
2021
£
17,900
5,928
5,396		 2020
£
466,347
1,453
58,428
13,519
48,138
10,246
60
1,650
2,354
968
50,721
653,884
2020
£
9,375
5,760
6,453

34

Children on the Edge Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 28 February 2021

10 Staff costs

No remuneration or expenses were paid to trustees during the year. The costs of the remaining staff were:

Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Pension costs
Overseas staff costs
Grant funded overseas staff costs		 2021
£
301,923
28,488
35,843
71,783
62,982
501,019		 2020
£
264,760
25,260
27,502
69,239
39,497
426,258

No employee earned more than £60,000 during the year.

The average monthly number of staff employed by the charity during the year was as follows:

Projects
Fundraising and publicity
Support
Governance
Overseas
The average number of staff employed in UK (Headcount)
11
Tangible fixed assets
Cost
As at 1 March 2020
Disposals
As at 28 February 2021
Depreciation
As at 1 March 2020
Charge for the year
Eliminated on disposals
As at 28 February 2021
Net book value
As at 28 February 2021
As at 29 February 2020
12
Debtors
Other debtors
13
Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
Trade creditors
Social security and other taxes
Other creditors and accruals		 £
20,646
-
20,646
18,155
1,689
-
19,844
802
2,491
Plant &
machinery		 2021
No.
3.15
4.48
1.37
0.10
14.90
24.00
11.20
Motor
vehicles
£
11,232
-
11,232
4,942
3,707
-
8,649
2,583
6,290
2021
£
36,684
2021
2,180
5,454
13,096
20,730		 2020
No.
2.44
3.09
1.16
0.10
11.80
18.59
8.75
Total
£
31,878
-
31,878
23,097
5,396
-
28,493
3,385
8,781
2020
£
36,199
2020
4,045
6,776
14,304
25,125

35

Children on the Edge Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 28 February 2021

14 Movement in funds

Restricted funds
India
Lebanon
Uganda
Bangladesh
Burma borders (including Kachin state)
Haiti
Unrestricted funds
Designated funds
Lebanon
Uganda
Bangladesh
Thailand
Burma
India
UK based costs
General fund
Total unrestricted funds
Total funds
2020
Restricted funds
India
Lebanon
Uganda
Bangladesh
Burma borders (including Kachin state)
Haiti
Unrestricted funds
Designated funds
Lebanon
Uganda
Bangladesh
Thailand
Burma
India
UK based costs
General fund
Total unrestricted funds
Total funds		 At 01.03.20
£
-
219,657
-
653,912
41,328
-
914,897
-
244,687
11,363
-
-
106,849
206,640
569,539
354,272
923,811
1,838,708
£
-
-
-
354,647
42,703
-
397,350
52,554
157,233
7,968
-
10,298
57,520
103,457
389,030
278,672
667,702
1,065,052		 £
20,961
(19,037)
-
(292,706)
8,765
-
(282,017)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
739,591
739,591
457,574
£
-
219,657
-
299,265
(1,375)
(966)
516,581
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
257,075
257,075
773,656
Net
movement in
funds		 £
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
423,741
181,441
-
8,706
111,944
259,635
985,467
(985,467)
-
-
£
-
-
-
-
-
966
966
(52,554)
87,454
3,395
-
(10,298)
49,329
103,183
180,509
(181,475)
(966)
-
Transfers
between
funds		 At 28.02.21
£
20,961
200,620
-
361,206
50,093
-
632,880
-
668,428
192,804
-
8,706
218,793
466,275
1,555,006
108,396
1,663,402
2,296,282
£
-
219,657
-
653,912
41,328
-
914,897
-
244,687
11,363
-
-
106,849
206,640
569,539
354,272
923,811
1,838,708

36

Children on the Edge Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 28 February 2021

14 Movement in funds (continued)

Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Restricted funds
India
Lebanon
Uganda
Bangladesh
Burma borders (including Kachin state)
Haiti
Unrestricted fund
General fund
2020
Restricted funds
India
Lebanon
Uganda
Bangladesh
Burma borders (including Kachin state)
Haiti
Unrestricted fund
General fund		 £
186,506
155,680
269,957
477,940
75,148
-
1,165,231
1,188,294
2,353,525
£
52,025
283,873
158,930
900,159
81,184
15
1,476,186
743,621
2,219,807
Incoming
resources		 £
165,545
174,717
269,957
770,646
66,383
-
1,447,248
448,703
1,895,951
£
52,025
64,216
158,930
600,894
82,559
981
959,605
486,546
1,446,151
Resources
expended		 Movement
in funds
£
20,961
(19,037)
-
(292,706)
8,765
-
(282,017)
739,591
457,574
£
-
219,657
-
299,265
(1,375)
(966)
516,581
257,075
773,656

Where money is given for a specific geographic area or project, a separate fund is created and expenditure incurred in the area allocated against the income. An allocation of support costs is made where there are sufficient fund balances.

Funds are designated by the trustees in particular areas to maintain the sustainablity and commitment to programmes as detailed in the Trustees' Report.

37

Children on the Edge Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 28 February 2021

15 Analysis of fund balances between net assets

Fixed assets
Current assets
Creditors
Total funds
2020
Fixed assets
Current assets
Creditors
Total funds		 Restricted
funds
£
-
632,880
-
632,880
£
-
914,897
-
914,897		 Designated
funds
£
-
1,555,006
-
1,555,006
£
-
569,539
-
569,539		 funds
£
3,385
125,741
(20,730)
108,396
£
8,781
370,616
(25,125)
354,272
Unrestricted		 Total
£
3,385
2,313,627
(20,730)
2,296,282
£
8,781
1,855,052
(25,125)
1,838,708

16 Reconciliation of net income / (expenditure) to net cash flow from operating activities

Net income for the year
Interest receivable
Depreciation and impairment of tangible fixed assets
(Increase) / decrease in debtors
Increase / (decrease) in creditors
Net cash flow from operating activities		 2021
£
457,574
(2,269)
5,396
(485)
(4,395)
455,821		 2020
£
773,656
(2,102)
6,453
(14,118)
6,726
770,615

17 Gross obligations under operating leasing agreements

As at 28 February 2021 the charity had future minimum lease commitments as follows:

Not later than 1 year
Later than 1 year and not later than 5 years		 2021
£
17,900
46,242
64,142		 2020
£
17,900
64,142
82,042

18 Related party transactions

Donations totalling £16,465 were made to the charity by three trustees during the year.

38

Children on the Edge

Detailed Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 28 February 2021

INCOME
Donations and legacies
Gifts from individuals
Corporate fundraising activity
Gifts and services in kind
Charitable activities
Grants received
Volunteer fees
Other trading activities
Events and challenges
Fundraising trading - project fees
Investment income
Deposit account interest receivable
Other income
Employer's relief
Sale of assets
Impact of Covid
Foreign exchange gains/(losses)
Total income
EXPENDITURE
Cost of raising funds(analysed below)
Fundraising costs
Staff costs
Support costs
Charitable activities(analysed below)
Direct costs
Grant funded activities
Staff costs
Support costs
Governance costs
Total expenditure
Net income		 £
£
702,811
932,722
312
1,635,845
731,659
(500)
731,159
7,396
481
7,877
2,269
4,000
-
4,727
(32,352)
(23,625)
2,353,525
30,194
157,027
12,059
199,280
334,648
998,084
255,524
91,417
16,998
1,696,671
1,895,951
457,574
2021		 £
£
694,786
490,683
480
1,185,949
959,866
500
960,366
53,829
1,070
54,899
2,102
3,000
8,421
-
13,491
24,912
2,228,228
49,812
129,881
13,316
193,009
203,648
653,884
295,299
94,342
14,390
1,261,563
1,454,572
773,656
2020		 £
£
694,786
490,683
480
1,185,949
959,866
500
960,366
53,829
1,070
54,899
2,102
3,000
8,421
-
13,491
24,912
2,228,228
49,812
129,881
13,316
193,009
203,648
653,884
295,299
94,342
14,390
1,261,563
1,454,572
773,656
2020
1,185,949
960,366
54,899
2,102
24,912
2,228,228
193,009
1,261,563
1,454,572
773,656

This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements

39

Children on the Edge

Detailed Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 28 February 2021

Cost of raising funds
Fundraising costs
Gifts and services in kind (fundraising costs)
Allocation of staff costs
Allocation of support costs
Charitable activities
Direct costs
Materials and programme costs
Grant funded activities
Staff costs
UK wages and salaries
Staff NIC (Employers)
Staff pensions
Other UK staff costs inc training and welfare
Overseas staff costs
Travel and subsistence
Allocation to fundraising costs
Allocation to support costs
Allocation to governance costs
Support costs
Staff costs
Rent, rates and utilities
Office cleaning
Communications
Overseas office expenses
Printing, postage and stationery
Insurance
Repairs and maintenance
Sundry expenses
Accountancy fees
Bank charges
Depreciation of office equipment
Allocation to fundraising costs
Allocation to governance costs
Governance costs
Audit fee
Legal and professional fees
Allocation of staff costs
Allocation of support costs		 2021
£
29,882
312
157,027
12,059
199,280
334,648
998,084
1,332,732
301,923
28,488
35,843
15,107
71,783
4,842
(157,027)
(38,499)
(6,936)
255,524
38,499
26,562
1,132
3,395
3,710
1,341
1,755
6,953
3
17,617
1,135
5,395
(12,059)
(4,020)
91,418
5,928
114
6,936
4,020
16,998		 2020
£
49,332
480
129,881
13,316
193,009
203,648
653,884
857,532
264,731
25,260
27,503
13,569
69,239
71,889
(129,881)
(40,587)
(6,424)
295,299
40,587
17,527
1,702
3,765
8,142
1,975
2,472
12,415
2
12,985
1,112
6,454
(13,316)
(1,480)
94,342
5,760
726
6,424
1,480
14,390

This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements

40