FIVE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES TRUST LTD (A COMPANY UMITED BY GUARANTEE) ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS for the year ended 31st March 2025 REGISTERED NUMBER: 4241965 CHARITY NUMBER: 1112796 *AEIH3Y95' 3011212025 COMPANIES HOUSE A05 #218 FIVE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES TRUST LTD Annual Accounts for the year ended 315t March 2025 Contents Page Company Informatlon Report of the Trustees Auditorfs Report 13 Statement of Flnancial Actlvlties lincluding Income and Expendlture Account) 18 Comparative Statement of Financial Actlvlties Ilncluding Income and Expenditure Account) 19 Balance Sheet 20 Statement of Cash Flows 21 Notes to the Accounts 22 FIVE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES TRUST LTD Company Informatlon 315t March 2025 Company number: 4241965 Charlty number: 1112796 Trnstees: P R Bostock (Chair) P M Freeman Mord A Hughes Secretsry: S Roberts Chlel Executlve: S Roberts Rrflstered offlce: Conleach Road Speke Liverpool L24 OTW Bank•r$: Co-operative Bank plc Po Box 250 Delf House Southway Skelmersdale WN8 6WT Soll¢ttor$: Hlll Dlcklnson LLP No.1 St. Paul's Square Liverpool L3 95J Audltor: Mitchell Charlesworth {Audit) Llmited Accountants Statutory Auditor Suites C,D,E,F, 14th Floor The Plaza 100 Old Hall Street Liverpool Merseyslde, L3 90J IIPage FIVE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES TRUST LTD Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31st March 2025 The trustees (who are also the directors of the company for the purposes of company law) present their report together with the audited accounts of the ch3rlty for the year ended 315t March 2025. The trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice ISORPI "Accounting and Reportlng by Charltle5" in preparin8 the annual report and f5nancial statements of the charity. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance wlth the accounting policies set out in the notes to the accounts and comply with the charity'5 governin8 document. the Companies Act 2006 and Accountin8 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 Republlc of Ireland IFR51021 (effective l January 2019). Trustees The trustees who Served durlng the year are detailed on pa8e l. P R Bostock retires by rotatlon and being ellsible, offers himself for re-electlon. Oblects •nd acllvttl•s The objects of the charlty are to: Promote the physical, intellectual and social development and education of pre-school and youn8 children particularly those who are disadvantaged or who have special needs and to ensure that they are ready to flourish when they get to school by working wlth familie5, foster and surrogate families and caring for and nurturin8 chlldren. Advance the education of the publlc In all aspects of the development of young children includin8 speeth and language. Relieve poverty, sickne55 and distress amon8 those in necessitous clrcumstances. Relieve unemployment in such way5 as may be thought fit includin8 assistance to find employment, and Carry out such other excluslvely charltable purposes as may be convenlently or advanta8eously tarried out In conjunctlon wlth the primary objects. The charlty has the general alm of workln8 In partnershlp to deliver better outcomes for chlldren and famllie5. The main objectives for the year contlnue to be the dellvery of our children centre contracti Particularly focusin8 on enhanced family support through our parent mentor prolect, improvin8 access to employment and the promotion of healthy lifestyles, in particular focusin8 on mental wellbein8 and diet and nutritlon. 21Page FIVE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES TRUST LTD Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31st March 2025 (contlnued) Strateglc Report Achlevements and perforniance Chlldren Centre Artlvltles Our Children Centres have provided a variety of services and activltles, reaching a total of 4,404 Individuals between Aprll 2024 and March 2025. Services offered include antenatal ser¥ices, family support, day-care, chlld health Services and unlversal early learnin8 8roups. We also provlde employment assistance, and varlous educational pro8rammes. The hlghest attendance recorded In antenatal servlces11,2681 and centre-based famlly support11,2211. Other notable serrflces Include postnatal servlces11,1711, Poverty support (826} and physlcal act•vity programs {7691. Monthly attendance demonstrates consistent en8agement from both carers and children; carer5 COnSi5tently outnumbered chlldren in attendance across most months, but this is largely due to our antenatal attendance. Speclfic programs Ilke speech and language support and speclal educatlonal needs {SEN) servlces are also provided. The centre empha5ises mental health and emotional wellbein8, With 189 individuals receivln8 SUPPOrt in thls area. Attendan￿ Trends for Spe¢lfi¢ Servkes The attendance trends for speclflc servlces indlcate varying levels af en8a8ement throughout the year. Antenatal senilces saw the highest en8a8ement, partlcularly Sn Aprll 2024 {243 carers). Centre-based famlly support had $18nlficant attendance, wlth 203 children In Aprll 2024. Physical actlvlty pro8rams peaked in Au8USt 2024, wlth 612 total attendees {261 carers and 351 Chlldrenl. Summary of Spe¢lal Programs and Support The centre provides targeted support pro8rams for chlldren wlth speclal needs and their famllies. SEN direct work with children and parents saw 105 indlvlduals engaged and specialist support 8roups for SEN included 110 participants. Speech and lan8ua8e servlces had a total of 316 indlvlduals recelvln8 targeted and universal support. A new Alder Hey servlce began operatln8 from the centre providin8 comrnunlty based appolntments for chlldren and voung peoplewith an ADHD dia8nosls and YPAS delivered an IncredlbleYÈars Pro8ramme for parents wlth neurodiverse children. Overall Impa¢t and Reach Our Children Centre has circa 4,500 children aged 04 registered for ser4ices. thls hlgh level of out of area registration has rnasked the focus on our in area target registration of 8(PA. In addition birth registratlon data has not been provided for a number of years, this data sharing resumed in May 2024. 1,537 of children registered live in our reach area, this is 63%of ourtarget population, howeveranalysis of the in year registrations demonstrates that 78% live In our area and we a150 registered 87% of all new births. We are confident that a sharper focus on birth registrations will ensure that over a 3 year period we will exceed the 80% tar8et. Fc￿ has made a signlflcant Impact on the community by providin8 essentlal servlces and support, through Its children centre and childcare activity, notwlthstanding the coordinated efforts of our partners. 31Page FIVE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES TRUST LTD Report of the Trustee5 for the year ended 31st March 2025 (contlnued) Overall Impart and Reach (contlnued) The centre'5 actlvitie5 Cater to all ethnicities and genders, ensuring inclusivity. With a total reach of 4,404 individuals over 21,472 contacts reflects the centre's commitment to servln8 famllles In greatest need. Notably of the 1,346 children seen at our centres 962 lived in our area a total of 87.5% of all reglslered 1>4 year old children were seen. 67% of all chlldren seen live In our IO% most deprived communlties. The table below summarises children attending by age: Chlldren aged under l year We saw 568 children of whom 55.5% 13151 Ilved In area. Chlldren aged I year 11 months We saw 242 chlldren of whom 78% (1891 lived In area. Chlldren aged 2 - ears 11 months We saw 320 children of whom 84.4% 1270) lived in area. Chlldren aged 3 - ears 11 months We saw 274 children of whom 86%12361 Ilved In area. Chlldren a8ed 4 - 4 years 11 months We saw 217 children of whom 86%1187) Ilved In area. The total volume of attendances for these chlldren Is 1927 attendances of whlch 74.4% {1434) live in the area 128 chlldren, in area, attended 4 or more occasions, 81 of whom Ilve in our most deprlved communities (63%) The total volume of attendances for these chlldrenls 1517 attendances of which 85.5%112971 live in the area. 113 children, in area, attended 4 or more occaslons 84 of whom Ilve In our most deprlved communlty {74%1 The total volume of attendances for these children is 1517 attendances of which 85.5%112971 live In the area. 176 chlldren, In area, attended 4 or more occasions 143 of whom live In our most deprSved community181%1 The total volume of attendances for these children is 3788 attendances of which 91%13460) live in the area. 155 children, in area, attended 4 or more oc¢aslon$ 136 of whom live In our most deprlved community188%) The total volume of attendances for these children Is 1415 attendances of whlch 91.4% {1294) live In the area. 63 ¢hlldren, In area, attended 4 or more occaslons S7 of whom Ilve In our most deprived community190%) This analysis wlll provide a count of overlappln8 ages across the year so totals may exceed the total chlldren seen +4 times. Ch51dren at a8e two have targeted visit from thelr health vlsitor whlch often results in a referral to our service, in addition we were unable to operate childcare from our Parklands slte which saw a reduction in the number oftwo year childcare places we were able to offer. As such the chlldren Centre was able to offer some tar8eted early learning support. In terms of our poverty focus for last year we sUPPOrted 826 individuals of those 68% Ilved In Speke and 280 were children aged 0-4. Each individual had an average of 2.3 contacts with the centre for 5UPPQrt, ranging from debt advice, benefits support and support with food and vouchers. Our work in relation to supporting access to childcare has 8one unrecorded in this financial year and we know that this does support our poverty redurtion work, as stsch we will start to record this work from April 2025 onwards. We know that we are effective at targetln8 our most deprlved communltles, however the above analysSs has led to a review of our under l offer, we also need to malntaln a sharp focus on our blrth data. Our centre Improvement plan for 2025-2026 has three Interconnected ambitlons, to: Maximi5e registration and early contact with all under 5's in our reach area, reducing the number of families who are unaware of our service or unengaged with the children centre. Deepen engagement and sustained partlcipation, particularly for children aged 0-2, so that farnilies benefit from consistent relationships and support. Improve outcomes for children, by bringing farnilie5 into early support pathways, promotlng developmental milestones, enhancing school readiness and reducing inequalities. 41Page FIVE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES TRUST LTD Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31st March 2025 {continued) Partnershlp Work We contlnue to work with Statutory and Community partners this Includes: Liverpool City Council - Famlly Hubs, targeted youth se￿1￿, early help teams. children services, public health, adult Learnln8 ser4ice, Team Around the Nei8hbourhood, khool Improvement Liverpool, Liverpool In Work and the SEND Team Public Health Llverpool awarded Garston Chlldren £50K In reco8nitlon of thelr work focusin8 on families who are impacted by substance mlsuse. This work supported Garston Klnshlp Carers, the Men's Mental Health Group and Garston Parent Group. The team led on a successful conference co-produced and delivered wlth the 8roups, highlightln8 the impact of the work. PSS- Co delivery of parent training and conferences and I:1 therapeutlc sessions across both sites Crosby Tralnln8- delivery of accredited trainln8 In Garston Children Centre Citizen's Advlce Llverpool Perlnatal Mental Health Servlce- Drop In and referral servlces tar8etlng pregnant women and those with a chlld up to ase 2 Alder Hey - Provision of infant feedlng cllnlcs at both sites; Speech and language support for professlonals and parents and ADHD Clinics on slte. Kinshlp Carers Llverpool- supportlng dellvery of Kinship Group at Garston Chlldren Centre ADHD Foundatlon- dellvery of tar8eted early years play groups Merseycare Llverpool - Health Vlsltln8 Ser¥lces are delivered from both centres and the team are a key referrer to our services. We also co-deliver parentlng classes with the Perinatal Mental Health Service. LWHT- antenatal service5, ultrasound Scans and neonatal hearln8 screenln8 take place at our Speke site STEC- compliance training for staff, board support and communlty learning for parents Speke and Garston Adventure Playgrounds - dellvery of joint events, shared resources, development of a Famlly Hub strate8y YPAS- delivered Incredlble Years to parents of chlldren wlth neurodiverse traits Liverpool Citizens Advice Service- delivery of drop in support for thelr perlnatal social pres¢ribin8 service. Natlonal Trust - we have worked with Speke Hall on the co-productlon of thelr poverty proofing strate8y and we are now a Trusted Partner In allocating free annual passes to families Social Landlords- strategic focus and jolnt initlatives Local Schools and Training providers Thls year Speke was selected as a Cradle to Career area. working with a national charlty Right to Succeed. The Dirertor has chaired the Cradle to Career Implementation Group, durin8 its inceptlon and we now Chair the Early Years Group. In terms of overall Governance, Cradle to Career will participate in the TAN and report pro8ress through this forum ensurin8 the early years, FCFT has been an active partlcipant In the roll out of LCC Neighbourhood Model and we have participated in a number of task and finish groups related to Neighbourhood prloritles, in particular a Thrivlng Community and Voluntary Sector and Reduction In Anti-social behaviour. SIPage FIVE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES TRUST LTD Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31st March 2025 (contlnuedl Partnershlp Work (contlnued) Our New Futures Group contlnue to support Us in our work and In addition both Children Centres now have actlve parent Broups who provide informal support and signpostin& support wlth events and activities and broker in specific training that is wanted and needed by parents. Lighthouse parentlng programme wlll be dellvered as part of a partnership with Alder Hey perinatal services. CAMHS, PSS and FCFf. It is an intensive 20week programme that is underpinned by mentallsatlon based therapyas an approach that is supported by the Anna Freud Centre, who shape and lead practice across England's Family Hub Network5. We encourage ourfamilies to participate in research projects and have supported the Chlldren Growln8 Up in Liverpool ICGULI research pro5ect, School Improvement Liverpool, development of an ACES strategy and training programme, National Trust- Speke Poverty Proofing project and LCC Housin8 Strategy. Flve Chlldcare We have had a $18nlflcant setback to our chlldcare operatlon. Muddy Footprints Garston remains ¢105ed, Initially to enable GAP to complete thelr refurbishment, we received a rental Income from them In support of thls. More latterlv we have ralsed objections wlth the Offlce of Trafflc Controller (OTC) and Llverpool Clty Councll {LCCI plannln8 department in relatlon to a plannin8 appllcation lo establish a Builders Yard and Heavy Goods Operating Centre immedlately adjacent to the nursery. We believe that If thls is approved It wlll compromlse both the safety of children and quality of the care we can offer. We are aware that there is a Public Enquiry planned and we have political support in relation to our objections for the proprietor to be granted an operating Ilcense. The CEO for LCC ha5 raised an objection with the OTC. However LCC has to remain neutral wlth regard to planning applicatlons. We have taken advlce and are confident that the proposal breaches the Liverpool Local Plan 2013-2033 in a number of areas and furthermore the proposal has no strate8iC Significance to the plan. We have also shifted our children centre delivery to our Muddy Footprints, Parklands site due to issues in relation to the provision of sufficient toilets on site for the nursery operatlon. This has resulted In a net loss of 19 chlldcare places in Speke, at a point when we were plannin8 expansion. We are worklng proactlvely with LCC A55et Management and Chlldcare Sufflciency teams to resolve thls matter, and we have been awarded a £40,000 capital investment to create 24 two year old places In the chlldren centre. It is our intentlon to enter Into a 5 year lease for Parklands, once a resolution has been achleved. Our Chlldcare contlnues to operate sustalnably and we have ￿dUCed staffln8 through natural movement of staff to other roles in the company, althou8h sadly we have105t some prartltloners to the early yearfs sector. We are also mindful of the impact to our communlty and continue to push for an expedient resolutlon. Despite these setbacks, our nursery continues to fully inte8rate with the work of our chlldren centre and add value to all aspects of our delivery. in particular SEND, parentin& safeguarding and poverty work. As indicated above they have delivered 76,376 free childcare hours across the year. Levels of children on roll having an identified special educational need, requiring interventlon has increased. LCC SEND team acknowled8es that levels of need are greater in Speke. Our Childcare Manager continues to chalr the Early Years Consortia, whlch considers representation from settings in relation to support for SEND chlldren and she Is also the representative for South Liverpool Private and Voluntary Sector Nurseries. Through this area of work she Is able to impact systemically on the early year's sector and ensure the needs of some of our most vulnerable children are met withln thelr provision 61Page FIVE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES TRUST LTD Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31st March 2025 {cont5nued) Flve Chlldcare We contlnue to embed best practlce approache5 in relatlon to enhanclng support for chlldren to develop speech, language and communication ski115 as more than 50% of our children have mild to moderate delay in speech and lan8uage at their 2 year Base Line assessment. It has been acknowledge by Liverpool SEND team that FCFT has the highest number of children on roll who have an Early Notification in place 26% of these children with highly complex needs currently attend our settin8. Childcare has worked with all local primaries to ensure an effective transition from our setting, thi5 has included visits from our schools 50 that they can observe children and 8aln a greater understanding of the children's needs. We will build on ourtransStlon work as part ofthe Early Years strand of Cradle to Career. Publlc 8eneflt Statement The Children Centre contract has a 100% focus on publlc benefit for children and families in Speke Garston and Cre5sington wards. We support workin8 parents wlth advice and 8uldance, ensuring maxlmum take up of childcare tax credits reducln8 fees by as much a$ 80% for the majorlty of parents and currently our ratio of free chlldcare provision stands at 60% compared to 40% fee payln8. FCFf always ensures that fees are kept as low as posslble wlthout compromisln8 our buslness SUStaSnablllty. Links were maintalned and extended, with local businesses, who support our Food Poverty Work and would Ilke to thank: Astrazeneca, Fords, Nandos, Asda, Cash for Kids, Alpha Taxls and Bld Foods, all of whom have supported us to ensure familles can have access to food and resource5 throughout the year and in particular over holiday perlods. Throu8h our Children Centre work, we also support famllies to access resources throu8h othercharltable trusts and we are working wlth Torus Housln8 to dlstrlbute fuel vouchers to families, Our SEND Llnk workers also asslst wlth the preparatlon of Dlsability Llving Allowance appllcations and appeals on behalf of chlldren wlth Special Educational Needs and Oisabillty ISENDI. We actlvely advocate on behalf of SEND chlldren in terms of ensuring they are able to access supportthrough theearlyyearfs consortla and ensure Education and Health Care Plans are In place priortothem startln8 school. We Continue to provide free training and consultancy to other local community organisations and groups on policy development, HR matters, fundln8 and Safe8uarding Children. FIVE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES TRUST LTD Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31st March 2025 {continued) Risk management The risk assessment re8iStef has been updated Including any risks assoclated wlth new proposals. A summary of key risks is set out below whllst the Ilkellhood of Covld 19 continuin8 to have the level of impact at the height of the pandemlc the Board feels that it Is important to include the risk of a significant outbreak of this or any other emergent viruses not withstanding coronavirus mutations and or potential new tonta8ion.' Rlsk Mitl8ation / Controls Significant Viral Conta8ion - Rlsk to Employees Full and immediate individual risk assessment of all staff, especially those consldered vulnerable, 8oard and SMT commitment to malntaln 100% salary payments where sustainable. Work-at-home and In-work protocols aligned wlth DfE and Local Authority guldance. Government funding for early years and chlldren's centres maintalned. Review of any available government support. Deployment of staff to sustsin buslness contlnultv. Staff Identified as Crltlcal Workers, ensurin8 centres remaln open. Re8ular key person contact for children unable to attend, Use of Zoom. welfare calls, food voucher5, and actlvity packs, Stron8 Community Ilnks maintained. Joint income generation across Liverpool network. Maintenance of tenancies and review of childcare allocatlons. Support to Garston Adventure Playground and Famlly Hub plans for lon8er-term flnanclal sustainabllity, All settings 8raded 'Good' by Otsted. Partlclpatlon In quality assurance schemes. Targets in place to ensure posltlve chlld outcomes, Flexible response to 30 hours funding. Si8nificant Vlral Conta8lon - Flnanclal Impact Signlflcant Vlral Conta8lon - Community Impact Loss of Revenues Increase In Competltlon for Chlldcare Flnanclal revlew The accounts show an increase in Income of £482,118 to £2,290,95912024 £1,808,841). The trustee5 report a surplus of £484,87812024 £65,073). Thls represents a surplus of £362,326 (2024 deflcSt £130,246) on restricted funds and a surplus of £122,552 (2024 £195,319) on unrestrlcted funds. Investments powers and policy Under the Memorandum and Article5 of A550ciation, the charlty has the power to invest in any way the trustees wlsh. 81Page FIVE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES TRUST LTD Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31st March 2025 (contlnued) Pollcy on remuneration of key management personnel The charity is committed to ensuring that we pay our staff fairly and in a way which ensures we attract and retain the rl8ht skills to have the greatest Impact in deliverln8 our charitable objectlves. The Board undertakes an annual review of salaries with the CEO in attendance, althou8h the CEO doe5 not partlclpate In the di5CU551ons around their own salary. All salary reviews take account of the broader financial position of the or8anisation. When carrying out its reviews. the Board has re8ard to: Industry benchmarks. includin8 the pay grades of slmllar roles within the local authority, where ser4lces are commSssloned by those bodles; m3kln8 sure that pay rates are competltlve wlthin the sector; the rernuneration package as a whole Includlng penslon contributions; and rewardlng good performance. Reserves pollcy The charlty's reserrfes policy Is to bulld up an unrestricted reserve sufflclent to enable the charlt¢s actlvities to be continued for a period of 3 months should regular funding be reduced or become unobtainable. Thls would provlde the trustees wlth suffi¢lent tlme to conslder how the operatlons of the charlty could be developed to enable Its servlces to contlnue to be provlded 8lven the levels of fundin8 avallable. At present thls level of reserves is realistically unobtainable but the trustees are lookin8 at way5 of Increasin8 Its incoming resources that would enable unrestrirted reserves to be built up over a period of time. Our business 5trate8y is focused on the creatlon of a mlxed economy that Is: Less rellant on grant or a sln8le source of Income 8ullds on our exlstln8 enterpr15e portfollo and the creatlon of unrestrlrted reserves Ensures that all projects are based on the principles of full cost recovery The build-up of a financial reserve 15 clearly linked to organisational performance and is wholly dependent on the organisation's ability to respond, develop and innovate within the context of our enterprise work. Thls is consistent wlth our business mlsslon: "We wlll grow our serilces, innovatlvely• profltably and in accordance with our charitable mlsslon. In buildlng sufficient reserves, we will be able to respond to potential risks and contingencies that may arise from time to time enabling us to meet financial risks associated with any contingency or uncertainty relating to the charltvs operatin8 actlvlties. These include: The provislon for an orderly wlndlng-down of operations in the event of a significant adverse event that is outside the control of the charity. Shifts in legSslatSon that may affect exlsting services provided for by the charlty. 91Page FIVE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES TRUST LTD Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31st Marth 2025 (continued) Structure* governance and management Post balance sheet events There are no significant post balance sheet events to report. Governlng document The charltyls a company limlted by guarantee and 15 8overned by its Memorandum and Articles of Associatlon dated 27th June 2001 as amended on 2nd March 21)06 to allow for current 8overnance arrangements. The company was reg15tered a5 a charlty on 23rd January 2006. Membershlp of the charity is open to Individuals or organlsatlons who quallfy In accordance with the policy and crlteria for admission of members made by the trustees. Or8anlsatlon The board of trustees, which can have up to 9 members, administers the charity. The board meets at least four tlmes a year and there are sub-committees coverlng flnance, nominatlons and human resources. A Chief Executive is appointed by the trustee5 to mana8e the day to day operations of the charity. To facilltate effective operatlons, the Board has dele8ated authority to the Chief Executive for all operatlonal matters includlng flnance. employment and performance related actlvlty. Appolntment of trusttts As set out in the Artlcles of Association the nominations committee will advise the charity on: Identiflcation and selection of new trustees and makin8 nomlnations to the AGM for the appointment of new trustees. Pollcy, crlterla and other matters relatln8 to membershlp of the charlty. AppoSntment of the Chalr, Deputy Chalr, Treasurer and any other office holders. The nominations commlttee has delegated authority to carry out its role detailed above and to make such nomlnatlons as it sees fit. The charlty Is committed to the full Involvement of parents In Its strateglc development and we would always seek to have a thlrd of our membership made up of local parents. Currently 50% of the board is made up of local parents. The trustee5 have the power to co-opt any person duly qualified to be appointed as a trustee to fill a vacancy in their number or as an additional trustee but a co-opted trustee holds office only until the next AGM. All members are circulated with the invltations to nominate trustees prlor to the AGM advlsing them of the retlrln8 trustees and requestin8 nominations for the AGM. Nominees appolnted by Liverpool Clty Council and Llverpool Primary Care Trust are subject to the appointment processes of those bodies and the guidelines on appolntment to public office as they apply to Local Government and Department of Health nominees. IOIPa8e FIVE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES TRUST LTD Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31st March 2025 (continued) Structure ol Trustee Indurtlon and tralnlnq New trustees under80 an inductlon to brief them on.. Their legal obli8ations under charity and company law. The content of the Memorandum and Artlcles of Assoclatlon. Declsion makln8 processes. The business plan. Recent financial performance of the charity. The Code of Conduct for Board Members. Thelr responslbllltles for safe8uardln8 chlldren. Ouring the induction period board members arrangements are made for them to meet key employees and other trustees. Trustees are encouraged to attend approprlate external trainln8 events where these will facllltate the undertaking of thelr role. The charlty ensures adequate funds are avallable for trustees to undertake tralnln8 In relatlon to thelr roles and responsibllitles. Statement of trustees, responslbllltles The trustees (who are also directors of Flve Children and Families Trust Ltd for the purposes of company13w) are responslble for preparing the Trustees, Annual Report (Includin8 the Strategic Report) and the financial statements in accordance wlth appllcable law and Unlted Klngdom Accountlng Standards Iunlted Kingdom Generally Accepted Accountin8 Prartlcel. Company law requires the trustees to prepare financlal statements for each financial year. 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 charltable company and of the incomlng resources and applScatlon of resources, includln8 the Income and expendlture, of the charltable company for that perlod. In preparSn8 these fSnancSal statements, the trustees are requlred to: select suitable accountin8 policies and then apply thern consistentlyi observe the methods and prlnclples In the Charitles 50RP 2019 IFAS 1021,, make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; state whether appllcable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financlal statement5, prepare the flnanclal statements on the golng concern basls unless It Is Inapproprlate to presume that the charitable company wlll continue in operation. The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial positlon of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. The trustees are also responsible for safeguardin8 the assets of the charitable company and hence for takin8 reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularlties. IIIPage FIVE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES TRUST LTD Report of the Trustee5 for the year ended 31st March 2025 {contlnued) Trustees, statement of dlsclosure of Infomiation to the audltors Each of the persons who is a trustee at the date of approval of this report confirm in $0 far as they are aware that: there is no relevant audlt Information of which the charitable companvs auditor is unaware, and the trustee5 have taken all steps that they ought to have taken to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the audltors are aware of that information. By Order of the Trustees Mord Trustee 24 December 2025 121Page Mitchell Charlesworth (Audit) Limited Accountants Suites C,D E F 14th Floor, The Plaza, Old Hall Street. Liverpool. Merseyside, L2 5RH FIVE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES TRUST LTD Independent Audltorfs Report to the Members of Flve Chlldren and Famllles Trust Ltd For the year ended 31st Marth 2025 Oplnlon We have audlted the financial statements of Flve Chlldren and FamSlles Trust Ltd {the'charitable companTrKI for the year ended 31st March 2025 which comprlse the Statement of Financial Activitles, the Balance Sheet, the Statement ol Cash Flows and the notes to the financial statements, includin8 a summary of significant accounting policie5. The financial reportlng framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accountin8 Standards, includin8 Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable In the UK and Republlc of Ireland {United Kingdom Generally Accepted A¢countin8 Prarticel. In our oplnlon the flnanclal statements: Ive a true and fair view of the state of the charitable company's affairs as at 31st March 2025 and of It$ incoming resources and appllcation of resources, Including Its Income and expenditure, for the year then ended; have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice,. and have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006. 8asls for oplnlon We conducted our audlt Sn accordance wlth Intematlonal Standards on Audltln8 {UKI IISAS IUKII and appllcable law. Our fesponslbllltles under those standards are further described In the Auditor'5 responslbllltles for the audlt of the flnanclal 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 belleve that the audit evldence we have obtained 15 sufficient and appropriate to provlde a basis for our opinlon. Concluslons relatlni to solni concem In audltin8 the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustee5' 115e of the 80in8 concern basis of accountln8 In the preparation of the financial statements 15 approprlate. Based on the work we have perforrned, we have not identified any material uncertaintles relating to events or condltlons that, individually or collectively, may cast sienificant doubt on the charitable companTrKs ability to continue as a going toncern for a period of at least twelve monlhs from when the financlal statements are authorised for issue. Our responslbilities and the responsibilitles of tbe trustees wlth respect to golng concern are described In the relevant sections of this report, 131Page Mitchell Charlesworth (Audit) Limited Accountants Sultes C,D E F 14th Floor. The Plaza, Old Hall Street. Llverpool, Merseyslde. L2 5RH FIVE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES TRUST LTD Independent Audltoes Report to the Members of Flve ChSldren and Famllles Trust Ltd For the year ended 31st March 2025 ICovrtlnued] Other Inform•llon The other Informatlon comprlses the informatlon Included In the tru5tees' annual report, other than the financial ststement5 and our auditor'5 report thereon. The trustees are responslble for the other information contalned within the annual report. 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 responslbllity is to read the other Informatlon and. in doing so, conslder whether the other Information is materlally inconsistent wlth the financSal statements or our knowledge obtalned In the course of the audbt or othenvlse appears to be materlally misstated. If we identify such material inconslstencies or apparent materlal m15Statements, we are requlred to determlne whether thls gives rlse to a materlal misstatement In the financlal statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there15 a materlal mlsstatement of thls other informatlon, we are required to report that fact. We have nothin8 to report in this re8ard. Oplnlons on other matters preKrlbed by the Companles Act 2006 In our oplnlon, based on the work undertaken In the course of the audlt: the Informatlon given In the trustees, report Ilncorporatlng the strate8lc report and the dlrectors, report prepared for the purposes of company lawl for the financlal year for which the flnanclal statements are prepared Is cons15tent with the financial statements; and the strategic report and the director5, report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requlrements. Matters on whkh we •re requlred to report by exceptlon In the light of the knowledge and understanding ofthe charitable company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material mlsstatements in the strategic report and the director5, report. We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires u5 to report to you If, in our opinion: adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audlt have not been received from branches not vlsited by us; or the financial statements are not In agreement with the accounting records and returns; or certain disclosures of trustees, remuneration specified by law are not made; or we have not received all the information and explanatlons we require for OLtr audit. 141Page Mitchell Charlesworth (Audit) Limited Accountants Suites C D E F 14th Floor, The Plaza, Old Hall Street, Ll¥erpool. Merseyslde. L2 5RH FIVE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES TRUST LTD Independent Audltorfs Report to the Member5 of Flve Chlldren and Famllles Trust Ltd For the year ended 31st March 2025 IContfn¥edJ Responslbllltles of trustees As explalned more fully in the Statement of Trustees, ResponslbSlltles set out on pa8e 11, the trustees {who are also the dlrectors of the charitable company for the purposes of company lawl are responsible for the preparation of the flnanclal statements and for being satisfled that they give a true and falr vlew, and for such internal control as the trustees determine 15 necessary to enable the preparatlon of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparln8 the financial statements, the trustees are responslble for assessing the charitable company's abillty to contlnue as a 8oln8 concern, disclosln8, as appllcable, matters related to 80in8 concern and uslng the golng concern basis of accountlng unless the trustees elther intend to Ilquldate the charitable company or to cease operatlons, or have no reallstlc alternatlve but to do so. Audltor's responslbllltles for the audlt of the flnanclal statements Our objectlves are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financlal statements as a whole are free from materSal misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to Issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a hi8h level of a55urance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAS IUK) will always detect a materlal misstatement when It exlsts. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are consldered material if, indlvidually or in the asgregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economlc declslons of users taken on the basls of these flnancial statements. Irregularltles, Including fraud. are Instances of non