OpenCharities

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

← Advonet

2024-03-31-accounts

Registered number: 04229975 Charity number: 1126132

ADVONET

(A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

ADVONET

(A company limited by guarantee)

CONTENTS

Page
Reference and administrative details of the charity, its Trustees and advisers 1
Trustees' report 2 - 14
Independent auditors' report on the financial statements 15 - 18
Consolidated statement of financial activities 19
Consolidated balance sheet 20 - 21
Charity balance sheet 22 - 23
Consolidated statement of cash flows 24
Notes to the financial statements 25 - 48

(A company limited by guarantee)

ADVONET

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE CHARITY, ITS TRUSTEES AND ADVISERS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Trustees M Ahmed(resigned 9 December 2023)
R Beck
S Burke(appointed 6 December 2023)
WCase (resigned 30August2024)
J Champaneria(appointed 3 July2024)
M Ghosh(appointed 3 July2024)
S Gill(resigned 19 June 2024)
P C Gleeson(resigned 6 December 2023)
P J Gruen
E Long (appointed 13 September 2023,resigned 25 July2024)
I Nip
Dr M Roberts(appointed 3 July2024)
R Porter
K Tandel
E V Williams
M M Yip
Company registered
number
04229975
Charity registered number
1126132
Registered office
Unity Business Centre
26 Roundhay Road
Leeds
LS7 1AB
Company secretary
R S Whitmore (appointed 3 July 2024)
P S Bramson (resigned 3 July 2024)
Independent auditors
BHP LLP
2 Rutland Park
Sheffield
S10 2PD
Bankers
Unity Trust Bank plc
Four Brindleyplace
Birmingham
B1 2JB
Key management personnel P Bramson - Chief Executive (resigned July 2024)
L Kelly - Finance Director (resigned May 2023)
W Cork - Partnership and Development Director
N Hussain - Advocacy Director
A Ellis - CEO
L Ebel - Finance Manager (appointed July 2023)

Page 1

ADVONET

(A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

The Trustees present their annual report together with the audited financial statements of the charity for the 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024. The Annual report serves the purposes of both a Trustees' report and a directors' report under company law. The Trustees confirm that the Annual report and financial statements of the charitable company comply with the current statutory requirements, the requirements of the charitable company's governing document and the provisions of the 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 (FRS102) (effective 1 January 2019).

Since the group and the charity qualify as small under section 383 of the Companies Act 2006, the Group strategic report required of medium and large companies under the Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report and Directors' Report) Regulations 2013 has been omitted.

Introduction to the Trustee's Report

a. Chair's Introduction

The past year has been tinged with a sense of suspense, with the potential for a change in government and a shift in the future direction of Health and Social Care looming large. The cost-of-living crisis has continued to significantly impact our staff, volunteers and clients. We have continued to work with many individuals with complex needs, whose access to essential services and support has been constrained by the ongoing shortage of resources in health, social care and the wider public sector. Despite these challenges, the unwavering dedication and hard work of our colleagues have led to many significant achievements, both large and small.

Peter Gruen, Chair of The Advonet Group

b. Context of the Report

This report was prepared by the Board of Trustees. It contextualises the consolidated financial statements of the charity and its subsidiary, Leep1 CIC, for the year ending 31 March 2024. The financial statements are prepared to meet the requirements of a directors’ report and accounts for Companies Act purposes.

They comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006, the Articles of Association, 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 the Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).

This report provides a detailed overview of The Advonet Group, a Leeds-based provider of advocacy-related services. It includes the following sections:

Page 2

(A company limited by guarantee)

ADVONET

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

The Advonet Group

Advonet, short for Advocacy Network, was established in 2021 as an advocacy infrastructure organisation for Leeds. Initially, it was jointly managed by three long-standing local advocacy providers: Advocacy for Mental Health, Dementia Advocacy, and Advocacy . In 2015, these organisations merged to form a single entity. Subsequently, Advonet rebranded itself as The Advonet Group to reflect its dual role in delivering advocacy services and hosting a variety of user-led projects, each with its own distinct identity, under the Advonet umbrella.

In 23/24 The Group consisted of:

a. The Advocacy Services in Leeds

Page 3

ADVONET

(A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

The Advonet Group (continued)

b. Learning Disabilities Services

c. Asking You

This project supports people with learning disabilities who want to help public bodies in Leeds to make service improvements. Examples of their work include advising on a public health campaign, providing learning disability awareness training or independent service reviews. The project supports the Leeds Learning Disability People’s Parliament and the Leeds Learning Disability Partnership Board.

Volunteer Citizen Advocates supported by the project are matched on an ongoing basis for a long period with a person who often has no-one independent in their lives, only paid services. This means clients have to work together with their Citizen Advocate to help them make their voice heard and ensure their rights are respected.

d. Leep1

This service is a self-advocacy project for adults with a learning disability. It is also a separate user led organisation and CIC. It helps its members to speak up for themselves, improve their confidence and communicate the needs of their community. It offers a wide range of activities and groups that identify improve skills, build confidence and wellbeing.

e. Cafe Leep

This project was set up to fulfil the ambitions of Leep1 Members. It provides training placements to adults with a learning disability who are supported to gain catering qualifications.

Page 4

ADVONET

(A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

The Advonet Group (continued)

f. Autism AIM Services

g. Leeds Autism AIM

This is a free service co-led by and run for autistic adults (aged 18 and over) in the Leeds City Council area. It provides lowlevel support, including advocacy, information and signposting, mentoring and peer support. Most staff working with our AIM service are autistic adults themselves.

h. Autism AIM - Mental Health Equity Project

This project helps mental health services across West Yorkshire work improve the way that they work with autistic adults accessing support from them.

The project’s primary purpose is to increase access to services for autistic adults. However, it also provides peer support, facilitates consultations on the accessibility of mental health services and provides training to mental health professionals.

Page 5

ADVONET

(A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

The Advonet Group (continued)

i. Bradford and Craven Autism AIM

A pilot project that launched in summer 2023, Bradford and Craven Autism AIM provides information and signposting, one-to-one peer support and a Health Access Project for autistic adults who get little or no funded support in the Bradford, Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven areas.

j. CHANGE

Since joining The Advonet Group in 2019, after 25 years as a groundbreaking, independent User-Led Organisation, CHANGE have worked on the Restraint, Seclusion and Segregation (RSS) Project for the CQC and currently work on the Outspoken LGBTQ+ Inclusion Project alongside Yorkshire MESMAC.

The CHANGE team under the leadership of the Development Director has recently sought to combine its commitment to promoting the human rights of people with learning disabilities with the spirit of social enterprise by providing the following services available for purchase through their new website:

The Advonet Group's Aims and Objectives

The objectives of The Advonet Group are to relieve poverty and sickness and preserve and protect the health of the public irrespective of race, culture, gender, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, age or disability. In particular, the organisation’s aims include:

The Trustees review the aims and objectives of the organisation each year and in the current year, they did this as part of their Board Awayday. The Trustees have referred to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit when reviewing our aims and objectives.

Page 6

ADVONET

(A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

This review encompasses what we achieved and the outcomes of our work over the year ended 31 March.

a. The Advonet Group's Mission, Vision and Values

The Advonet Group's Group Achievements in 23-24

The Advonet Group’s Trustees have considered the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit, including the guidance 'public benefit: running a charity (PB2)'.

They continue to make sure that The Advonet Group’s activities and ambitions are aligned with its charitable objectives and drive the charity forward to achieve as much as possible for our beneficiaries.

Page 7

ADVONET

(A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

The Advonet Group's Group Achievements in 23-24 (continued)

a. Overall Achievements of The Advonet Group

Advocacy Support: We provided advocacy support or involvement opportunities for 2,454 people.

Advocacy Development Fund: The Board launched the second round of the Advocacy Development Fund, using reserves to support community organisations working with specific communities of interest. Awards were made to: TransLeeds: Supporting the Transgender, Non-Binary, and Gender Expansive Community in and around Leeds to develop their community advocacy offer.

Leeds Refugee Forum: Assisting in the development of an advocacy service for refugee and asylum seeker communities. Slate: A furniture workshop and retail outlet providing work and training opportunities for adults with learning disabilities. The funding enabled volunteers to set up a self-advocacy group.

Damasq: A Leeds-based nonprofit organisation focused on uniting communities, received funding to offer advocacy to migrant communities.

Trustees led the selection process in November 2023, building on the success of the first round. It is predicted that over 1,000 people will benefit from these awards. This initiative also allows small grassroots organisations to learn about advocacy, and The Advonet Group to make its ‘generic’ advocacy more inclusive. We plan to celebrate this mutual learning at a city-wide event in 2025.

Investors in Volunteering Accreditation: We were awarded our Investors in Volunteering accreditation for the third time. The assessor highlighted many positive aspects from our volunteers and provided useful pointers for the future. We plan to launch our new Volunteer Strategy in January 2025.

Management and Leadership Streamlining : We streamlined the Management and Senior Leadership Team, flattening the structure to create greater synergies and capacity for development. From autumn 2024, the Senior Team will include the Development Director, Finance Manager, Autism Services Manager, Advocacy Manager, Learning Disabilities Service Manager and Quality & Performance Manager.

b. Advocacy Services

In 2023/24, the Advocacy Management Team prepared to roll out the 1.2 Representative (Rep) advocacy, developed in collaboration with commissioners to address a pressing need for Leeds citizens. A 1.2 Rep is appointed to support individuals who lack the capacity to consent to restrictions on their freedom and may be deprived of their liberty in a community or domestic setting and is authorised by the court of protection . The 1.2 Rep ensures that the individual’s rights are upheld, their care is in their best interests and they are involved as much as possible in decisions about their lives.

c. Learning Disabilities Services

In early 2024, Leep1 (with support from Asking You!) worked on setting up their Leep1 Inclusion For Employment (LIFE) project. Work on that, including helping participants to speak up for themselves when trying to get into employment, begins this summer.

Page 8

ADVONET

(A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

The Advonet Group's Group Achievements in 23-24 (continued)

d. Autism AIM Services

The Future

In March 2024, during their annual awayday, Trustees decided to focus the organisation’s energies on ‘Thriving in Challenging Times’ due to the current uncertainty in Health & Social Care. They believed the future landscape would become clearer after the upcoming election. Between March and June, Trustees adapted the existing five-year Strategic Plan into a more focused two-year business plan. Staff were consulted on the initial draft, and the new plan was adopted in June.

Page 9

ADVONET

(A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

The Future (continued)

To deliver our plan over the next year, we will focus on the following actions:

Stabilisation

People

Structure Governance and Management

The organisation is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 6 June 2001 and a registered charity. The charity is established under a Memorandum of Association which outlines the objectives and aims of the organisation. Members are required to contribute £1 in the event of the Company winding up. Details of the registered number and office are given on Page 1.

Recruitment and appointment of Trustees

Members of the Board act in two capacities. They are both a Company Director and Trustee. They receive no remuneration, and any expenses are shown in Note 1 2 to the financial statements. Appointments to the Board are made by the Members of the Company at the Annual General Meeting or at a Board meeting held during the year in accordance with the Articles of Association.

There are 14 places on the Board. The Board decided in 2023 to increase the number of Trustees to help it have the scope to better represent the diverse of the communities which it serves.

When a vacancy arises on the Board, a recruitment campaign is run to identify a replacement for the departing Trustee. The campaign is informed by the Board’s annual skills audit. This is used to focus the recruitment campaign to fill identified gaps in skills, experience or knowledge.

Under the terms of the Memorandum and Articles of Association, one third of the Board must retire by rotation at each Annual General Meeting.

The Board members who retire are the longest serving directors. Retiring Trustees can offer themselves for re-election.

Trustee Recruitment and Development Process

Potential trustees first meet with the CEO to learn about the role. Following this meeting, they are encouraged to attend board meetings as observers. If they remain interested, they are interviewed by the Chair and another trustee. Upon joining the Board, new trustees are immediately offered an induction to familiarize themselves with the organisation’s policies, procedures, and structures. All trustees attend a formal induction session with the Chair and the Chief Executive. Trustees undergo an annual performance review with the Chair. They also have access to the organisation’s online training programme. Additional training is provided to trustees individually or as a group, based on emerging training needs.

Annual audits capture Trustees’ skills and key characteristics in order to facilitate targeted recruitment when a vacancy occurs.

Page 10

ADVONET

(A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Structure Governance and Management (continued)

Board and Leadership Structure

The Board meets at least four times a year and is responsible for the strategic direction and governance of the organisation, as well as determining its policies. Throughout the financial year, the Resources, Quality & Operations and Development sub-groups also meet quarterly.

Sub-Groups:

Resources Sub-Group: Focuses on finance, health and safety, and data protection. Quality & Operations Sub-Group: Concentrates on service delivery, the quality regime, policies and procedures, service quality, and HR.

Development Sub-Group: Deals with communications, horizon scanning, and business development strategy. The sub-groups delve into greater detail about the organisation’s activities and plans.

The Board delegates the operational running of the organisation to the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), headed by the Chief Executive, who is appointed by the Board to manage day-to-day operations.

In 2023/24, the Senior Leadership Team was restructured, with the roles of Advocacy Director, Inclusion Projects Director, and Finance Director removed. The new team now includes the Development Director, Finance Manager (also responsible for data protection), three Service Area Managers and a Quality & Performance Manager (responsible for compliance).

The Advonet Group: Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 March 2024

Key management remuneration

During the financial year ending 31 March 2024, the Senior Leadership Team, listed above made up the organisation’s key personnel.

The key management's pay award is set by the Board following a benchmarking exercise which compared the salaries of similar roles in comparable organisations. No employee earned more than £60,000 per annum in the current or previous financial year.

Risk and Opportunity Management

The charity trustees have given consideration to the major risks to which the charity is exposed and satisfied themselves that systems or procedures are established in order to manage those risks.

The Board Development Subgroup conducts a quarterly review of the risks and opportunities facing the organisation. The full Board completes a comprehensive review during its Annual Awayday. These findings are documented in the Risk Register, which considers Governance, Operational, Financial, and Environmental/Social/Political factors.

The register assesses the potential impact and likelihood of each risk, the existing controls and additional measures that could mitigate these risks. The Senior Leadership Team maintains this process, with oversight from the Development Subgroup.

At the last review, the principal risks and uncertainties identified were the loss of funding, the impact of inflation on contracts and staff retention and changes in health and social care policy. These risks are managed by developing strong strategic partnerships with funders and other stakeholders, implementing an organisation-wide efficiencies programme and diversifying funding sources.

Page 11

ADVONET

(A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Financial Review

The financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006, the provisions of 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), and the conditions in the company's memorandum and articles of association. The movement in funds is shown on the Statement of Financial Activities on Page 15.

Principal Funding Sources

The Advonet Group and its consortium partners (Touchstone and Age UK Leeds) started to deliver the five-year contract for Advocacy in Leeds in April 2018. A three-year extension was awarded in 2023. This contract with Leeds City Council remains the major source of funding for the organisation, consistent with the prior year. (56% of income in 23/24; 60% ofincome in 22/23).

Other funding comes from several different sources including other departments of Leeds City Council, The West Yorkshire NHS Integrated Care Board (ICB), Comic Relief and The National Lottery Community Fund. The Advonet Group does not use professional fundraisers or third parties to fundraise on our behalf. There have been no complaints about fundraising activity this year.

Charity Reserves

Performance in year

During the year ended 31 March 2024 Advonet made a deficit of £87,816 (2022/23: deficit of £102,254).

Information in relation to the charity’s reserves policy is given below.

This year the Board has drawn on the organisation’s free reserves for the following Designated funds:

In addition, the organisation has drawn on reserves to support staff to cope with a cost-of-living crisis offering a 3% pay rise and a one-off cost-of-living payment.

Restricted funds

The restricted funds at the end of March 2024 totalled £141,536 principally represents amounts held for Leeds Independent Health Complaints Advocacy, Leeds Independent Mental Health Advocacy, LGBTQ+ and Asking You! projects.

The Advonet Group's Reserves Policy

In forming a reserves policy, the Trustees have taken into account the financial impact of the principal risks identified above. The Advonet Group maintains an unrestricted cash reserve to provide a reasonable working balance between meeting existing commitments and recognising that there can sometimes be a delay in receiving grants or other income due.

The Board has undertaken a more detailed review of reserves requirements rather than the previous target of three months' operating costs totalling £231,159 and has reviewed the level of reserves required to take account of known liabilities and possible contingencies.

Page 12

ADVONET

(A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

The Risk and Opportunity Register

As detailed above, this reviewed on a regular basis and informs the Reserves Policy to ensure that we capture funds that enable us to deal with known risks in a sustainable way.

The required reserves estimate as at 31 March 2024 is £ 231,159 following our annual review, using our established methodology. Free reserves (excluding fixed assets and designated funds) of the organisation as at the end of March 2024 are £271,792 (2023: £393,838). This means that we are currently £ 40,633 above our reserves target.

Statement of Trustees' responsibilities

The Trustees (who are also the directors of the charity for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing theTrustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom AccountingStandards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Company law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial . 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 group and the charity and of their incoming resources and application of resources, including their income and expenditure, for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the group and the charity's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the group and the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the group and the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Disclosure of information to auditors

Each of the persons who are Trustees at the time when this Trustees' report is approved has confirmed that:

Page 13

ADVONET

(A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Auditors

The auditors, BHP LLP, have indicated their willingness to continue in office. The designated Trustees will propose a motion reappointing the auditors at a meeting of the Trustees.

Approved by order of the members of the board of Trustees and signed on their behalf by:

E V Williams

Date:

Page 14

(A company limited by guarantee)

ADVONET

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF ADVONET

We have audited the financial statements of Advonet (the ‘parent charitable company’) and its subsidiaries (the 'group') for the year ended 31 March 2024, which comprise the consolidated statement of financial activities, the consolidated balance sheet, the company balance sheet, the consolidated statement of cash flows and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion the financial statements:

Basis for opinion

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

Conclusions relating to going concern

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

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the group and parent charitable company’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

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

Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the trustees' report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

Page 15

ADVONET

(A company limited by guarantee)

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF ADVONET (CONTINUED)

We have nothing to report in this regard.

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the group and parent 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 in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the trustees’ responsibilities statement, the trustees (who are also the directors of the parent 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 group and parent charitable company’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the group or parent charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

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

Page 16

(A company limited by guarantee)

ADVONET

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF ADVONET (CONTINUED)

decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

Page 17

(A company limited by guarantee)

ADVONET

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF ADVONET (CONTINUED)

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charitable company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company’s members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and the charitable company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Rachel Heath (Senior statutory auditor)

for and on behalf of

BHP LLP

Chartered Accountants 2 Rutland Park Sheffield S10 2PD

Date: 30/01/2025 GMT

Page 18

ADVONET

(A company limited by guarantee)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCORPORATING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Note
ncome from:
Donations and legacies
4
Charitable activities
5
nvestments
6
Other income
7
otal income
xpenditure on:
Charitable activities
9
otal expenditure
Net income/(expenditure) before taxation
axation
Net income/(expenditure) after taxation
ransfers between funds
18
Net movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds:
otal funds brought forward
Net movement in funds
otal funds carried forward		 Unrestricted
funds
2024
£
6,082
965,066
5,417
2,150
978,715
924,639
924,639
54,076
1,603
55,679
(190,955)
(135,276)
553,387
(135,276)
418,111		 Restricted
funds
2024
£
-
1,269,500
-
-
1,269,500
1,412,995
1,412,995
(143,495)
-
(143,495)
190,955
47,460
94,076
47,460
141,536		 Total
funds
2024
£
6,082
2,234,566
5,417
2,150
2,248,215
2,337,634
2,337,634
(89,419)
1,603
(87,816)
-
(87,816)
647,463
(87,816)
559,647		 Total
funds
2023
£
1,473
2,129,632
1,965
2,991
2,136,061
2,238,315
2,238,315
(102,254)
-
(102,254)
-
(102,254)
749,717
(102,254)
647,463

The Consolidated statement of financial activities complies with the requirements for an income and expenditure account under the Companies Act 2006 and includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

Page 19

ADVONET

(A company limited by guarantee) REGISTERED NUMBER: 04229975

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 31 MARCH 2024

Note
ixed assets
angible assets
13
Current assets
tocks
15
Debtors
16
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
17
Net current assets
otal assets less current liabilities
otal net assets
Charity funds
Restricted funds
18
Unrestricted funds
18
otal funds		 9,504
520,098
381,045
910,647
(364,699)		 2024
£
13,699
13,699
545,948
559,647
559,647
141,536
418,111
559,647		 15,577
341,587
687,743
1,044,907
(424,373)		 2023
£
26,929
26,929
620,534
647,463
647,463
94,076
553,387
647,463

The Trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and preparation of financial statements.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to entities subject to the small companies regime.

Page 20

ADVONET

(A company limited by guarantee) REGISTERED NUMBER: 04229975

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (CONTINUED)

AS AT 31 MARCH 2024

The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by:

E V Williams

Date:

The notes on pages 25 to 48 form part of these financial statements.

Page 21

ADVONET

(A company limited by guarantee) REGISTERED NUMBER: 04229975

CHARITY BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 31 MARCH 2024

Note
ixed assets
angible assets
13
nvestments
14
Current assets
tocks
15
Debtors
16
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
17
Net current assets
otal assets less current liabilities
otal net assets
Charity funds
Restricted funds
18
Unrestricted funds
18
otal funds		 8,989
485,689
370,302
864,980
(329,690)		 2024
£
13,300
10
13,310
535,290
548,600
548,600
141,536
407,064
548,600		 15,577
310,364
664,338
990,279
(387,457)		 2023
£
24,119
10
24,129
602,822
626,951
626,951
94,076
532,875
626,951

The charity's net movement in funds for the year was £(78,351) (2023 - £(80,825)).

The Trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and preparation of financial statements.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to entities subject to the small companies regime.

Page 22

ADVONET

(A company limited by guarantee) REGISTERED NUMBER: 04229975

CHARITY BALANCE SHEET (CONTINUED) AS AT 31 MARCH 2024

The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by:

E V Williams

Date:

The notes on pages 25 to 48 form part of these financial statements.

Page 23

ADVONET

(A company limited by guarantee)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Note
Cash flows from operating activities
Net cash used in operating activities
21
Cash flows from investing activities
nterest received
Proceeds from the sale of tangible fixed assets
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities
Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year
22		 2024
£
(308,589)
5,417
110
(3,636)
1,891
(306,698)
687,743
381,045		 2023
£
(84,359)
-
-
(17,823)
(17,823)
(102,182)
789,925
687,743

Page 24

ADVONET

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

1. General information

The charitable company is limited by guarantee, with the liability of members limited to £1 per member. The charitable company is registered in England and Wales with the Charity Commission. The registered office is Unity Business Centre, 26 Roundhay Road, Leeds, LS7 1AB.

If upon winding up or dissolution of the charitable company there remain any assets, after satisfying all debts and liabilities, the assets represented by the accumulated fund shall be transferred to some other charitable body or bodies having objectives similar to the Charity.

2. Accounting policies

2.1 Basis of preparation of financial statements

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) - Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the company. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £1.

Advonet meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy.

The Consolidated statement of financial activities (SOFA) and Consolidated balance sheet consolidate the financial statements of the charity and its subsidiary undertaking. The results of the subsidiary are consolidated on a line by line basis.

The charity has taken advantage of the exemption allowed under section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 and has not presented its own Statement of financial activities in these financial statements.

2.2 Going concern

The Trustees have at the time of approving the financial statements a reasonable expectation that the charitable group has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. The charitable group has taken steps to reduce exposure to long term costs and has contingency planning in place in the event of losing a core contract. The trustees have taken into consideration the potential contingent liability detailed in note 24 in making their assessment. It is for these reasons that the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

Page 25

ADVONET

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

2. Accounting policies (continued)

2.3 Income

All income is recognised once the charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.

Grants are included in the Consolidated statement of financial activities on a receivable basis. The balance of income received for specific purposes but not expended during the period is shown in the relevant funds on the Balance sheet. Where income is received in advance of entitlement of receipt, its recognition is deferred and included in creditors as deferred income. Where entitlement occurs before income is received, the income is accrued.

Donated services: The value of the services provided by volunteers has not been included. Further details of the contribution made by volunteers can be found in the annual report.

Other income is recognised in the period in which it is receivable and to the extent the goods have been provided or on completion of the service.

2.4 Expenditure

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.

Expenditure on charitable activities is incurred on directly undertaking the activities which further the group's objectives, as well as any associated support costs.

Grants payable are charged in the year when the offer is made except in those cases where the offer is conditional, such grants being recognised as expenditure when the conditions attaching are fulfilled. Grants offered subject to conditions which have not been met at the year end are noted as a commitment, but not accrued as expenditure.

All expenditure is inclusive of irrecoverable VAT.

2.5 Interest receivable

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the group; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the institution with whom the funds are deposited.

Page 26

(A company limited by guarantee)

ADVONET

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

2. Accounting policies (continued)

2.6 Taxation

The charity is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the charity is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes.

2.7 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation

Tangible fixed assets costing £500 or more are capitalised and recognised when future economic benefits are probable and the cost or value of the asset can be measured reliably.

Tangible fixed assets are initially recognised at cost. After recognition, under the cost model, tangible fixed assets are measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. All costs incurred to bring a tangible fixed asset into its intended working condition should be included in the measurement of cost.

Depreciation is charged so as to allocate the cost of tangible fixed assets less their residual value over their estimated useful lives .

Depreciation is provided on the following basis:

Fixtures, fittings and office - 33% straight line equipment Computer equipment - 33% straight line

2.8 Investments

Fixed asset investments are a form of financial instrument and are initially recognised at their transaction cost and subsequently measured at fair value at the Balance sheet date, unless the value cannot be measured reliably in which case it is measured at cost less impairment. Investment gains and losses, whether realised or unrealised, are combined and presented as ‘Gains/(Losses) on investments’ in the Consolidated statement of financial activities.

Investments in subsidiaries are valued at cost less provision for impairment.

2.9 Stocks

Stocks are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value after making due allowance for obsolete and slow-moving stocks. Cost includes all direct costs and an appropriate proportion of fixed and variable overheads.

2.10 Debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.

Page 27

ADVONET

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

2. Accounting policies (continued)

2.11 Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and short-term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.

2.12 Liabilities and provisions

Liabilities are recognised when there is an obligation at the Balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably.

Liabilities are recognised at the amount that the charity anticipates it will pay to settle the debt or the amount it has received as advanced payments for the goods or services it must provide.

Provisions are measured at the best estimate of the amounts required to settle the obligation. Where the effect of the time value of money is material, the provision is based on the present value of those amounts, discounted at the pre-tax discount rate that reflects the risks specific to the liability. The unwinding of the discount is recognised in the Consolidated statement of financial activities as a finance cost.

2.13 Financial instruments

The group only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

2.14 Employee benefits

The costs of short term employee benefits are recognised as a liability and an expense where settlement of obligations does not fall within the same period.

Employee severance and redundancy pay is recognised within the accounts, on an accruals basis in the year in which the employee either left, or agreed to leave, the organisation.

2.15 Pensions

The group operates a defined contribution pension scheme and the pension charge represents the amounts payable by the group to the fund in respect of the year.

Page 28

ADVONET

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

2. Accounting policies (continued)

2.16 Fund accounting

General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the group and which have not been designated for other purposes.

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 are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the group for particular purposes. The costs of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.

Investment income, gains and losses are allocated to the appropriate fund.

3. Critical accounting estimates and areas of judgment

Estimates and judgments are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.

Critical accounting estimates and assumptions:

The charity makes estimates and assumptions concerning the future. The resulting accounting estimates and assumptions will, by definition, seldom equal the related actual results.

The Trustees consider that there are no critical accounting estimates and judgements that have a material impact on these financial statements.

4. Income from donations and legacies

Donations
Total 2023		 Unrestricted
funds
2024
£
6,082
1,473		 Total
funds
2024
£
6,082
1,473		 Total
funds
2023
£
1,473

Page 29

ADVONET

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

5. Income from charitable activities

Local authority contracts
Other contracts
Other service income
Other grants
Cafe income
Other Leep1 income
Total 2023		 Unrestricted
funds
2024
£
588,401
72,020
75,116
42,288
62,344
124,897
965,066
997,418		 Restricted
funds
2024
£
674,863
-
-
594,637
-
-
1,269,500
1,132,214		 Total
funds
2024
£
1,263,264
72,020
75,116
636,925
62,344
124,897
2,234,566
2,129,632		 Total
funds
2023
£
1,281,018
110,290
79,225
490,858
50,606
117,635
2,129,632

6. Investment income

Interest received
Total 2023		 Unrestricted
funds
2024
£
5,417
1,965		 Total
funds
2024
£
5,417
1,965		 Total
funds
2023
£
1,965

Page 30

ADVONET

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

7. Other income

Other income
Total 2023		 Unrestricted
funds
2024
£
2,150
2,991		 Total
funds
2024
£
2,150
2,991		 Total
funds
2023
£
2,991
  1. Analysis of grants
Grants to Total Total
Institutions funds funds
2024 2024 2023
£ £ £
Grants paid 14,050 14,050 -

During the year the charity paid grants to the following institutions:

DAMASQ Leeds Refugee Forum Lippy People MEMAC

Page 31

ADVONET

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

9. Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities

Summary by fund type

Direct costs
Support costs
Governance costs
Grants paid (note 8)
Total 2023		 Unrestricted
funds
2024
£
583,126
310,609
16,854
14,050
924,639
945,058
Unrestricted
funds		 Restricted
funds
2024
£
1,044,180
368,815
-
-
1,412,995
1,293,257
Restricted
funds		 Total
2024
£
1,627,306
679,424
16,854
14,050
2,337,634
2,238,315
Total
funds		 Total
2023
£
1,600,080
626,165
12,070
-
2,238,315
Total
funds
Direct costs 2024 2024 2024 2023
£ £ £ £
Salaries,social securityandpension 524,601 908,533 1,433,134 1,440,298
Age UK Leeds - 56,000 56,000 42,993
Touchstone - 25,429 25,429 26,424
Other subcontractors 5,042 17,567 22,609 14,473
Volunteer expenses 545 3,896 4,441 3,018
Project evaluation 2,801 8,700 11,501 5,491
Training 6,465 1,395 7,860 11,137
Recruitment 7,840 185 8,025 1,246
Travel 4,203 15,104 19,307 16,473
Subscriptions 2,656 752 3,408 2,801
Insurance 7,880 - 7,880 7,410
Activitycosts 11,058 6,619 17,677 18,953
Cafe provision 10,035 - 10,035 9,363
Total 2024 583,126 1,044,180 1,627,306 1,600,080
Total 2023 640,936 959,144 1,600,080

Page 32

(A company limited by guarantee)

ADVONET

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Unrestricted
funds		 Restricted
funds		 Total
funds		 Total
funds
Support costs 2024 2024 2024 2023
£ £ £ £
Salaries,social securityandpension 327,102 - 327,102 338,371
Computer costs 61,958 1,259 63,217 55,187
Premises costs 95,175 483 95,658 95,076
Communications 23,598 10,668 34,266 28,827
Printing, postage and stationary 7,036 3,184 10,220 7,130
Repairs and maintenance 53,720 34 53,754 31,956
Legaland professional 28,180 1,108 29,288 23,631
Bad debts (1,224) (69) (1,293) (137)
Depreciation 16,866 - 16,866 20,316
Irrecoverable VAT 31,617 - 31,617 6,786
Other 13,832 3,838 17,670 18,010
Bank charges 1,059 - 1,059 1,012
Allocation of shared resources (348,310) 348,310 - -
Total 2024 310,609 368,815 679,424 626,165
Total 2023 292,052 334,113 626,165
Unrestricted
funds		 Total
funds		 Total
funds
Governance costs 2024 2024 2023
£ £ £
Trustee and management meetings - - 1,836
Auditor's remuneration 16,854 16,854 10,234
Total 2024 16,854 16,854 12,070
Total 2023 12,070 12,070

Page 33

(A company limited by guarantee)

ADVONET

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

10. Net income/(expenditure)

This is stated after charging:

2024 2023
£ £
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets:
- owned bythe charity 16,866 20,316
Operatinglease charges 46,955 54,218
Auditor's remuneration - audit 11,500 9,365
Auditor's remuneration - other services 5,320 4,135

11. Staff costs

Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Contribution to defined contribution pension
schemes		 Group
2024
£
1,565,634
120,672
73,930
1,760,236		 Group
2023
£
1,572,480
129,614
76,575
1,778,669		 Charity
2024
£
1,435,594
112,385
68,082
1,616,061		 Charity
2023
£
1,450,554
121,800
71,134
1,643,488

The above figures include redundancy costs of £10,241 (2023: £nil) and ex-gratia payments of £3,401 made to 1 employee (2023: nil).

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

Group Group
2024 2023
No. No.
Administration and advocacy (excluding volunteers) 82 83

No employee received remuneration amounting to more than £60,000 in either year.

The total amount of employee benefits, including employer's pension contributions and employers' national insurance, received by the key management team is £164,714 (2023: £167,196). The charity's key management personnel are detailed on page 1.

Page 34

ADVONET

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

12. Trustees' remuneration and expenses

During the year, no Trustees received any remuneration or other benefits (2023 - £NIL).

During the year ended 31 March 2024, expenses totalling £510 were reimbursed or paid directly to 1 Trustee (2023 - £268 to 1 Trustee) relating to travel and refreshments for meetings.

13. Tangible fixed assets

Group

Cost or valuation
At 1 April 2023
Additions
Disposals
At 31 March 2024
Depreciation
At 1 April 2023
Charge for the year
On disposals
At 31 March 2024
Net book value
At 31 March 2024
At 31 March 2023		 Plant and
machinery
£
23,273
-
-
23,273
21,676
1,198
-
22,874
399
1,597		 Fixtures and
fittings
£
2,664
-
(280)
2,384
2,516
148
(280)
2,384
-
148		 Computer
equipment
£
70,156
3,636
-
73,792
44,972
15,520
-
60,492
13,300
25,184		 Total
£
96,093
3,636
(280)
99,449
69,164
16,866
(280)
85,750
13,699
26,929

Page 35

ADVONET

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

13. Tangible fixed assets (continued)

Charity

Cost or valuation
At 1 April 2023
Additions
At 31 March 2024
Depreciation
At 1 April 2023
Charge for the year
At 31 March 2024
Net book value
At 31 March 2024
At 31 March 2023		 Fixtures and
fittings
£
2,022
-
2,022
1,874
148
2,022
-
148		 Computer
equipment
£
64,081
3,636
67,717
40,110
14,307
54,417
13,300
23,971		 Total
£
66,103
3,636
69,739
41,984
14,455
56,439
13,300
24,119

Page 36

(A company limited by guarantee)

ADVONET

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

14. Fixed asset investments

Charity
Cost or valuation
At 1 April 2023
At 31 March 2024		 Investments in
subsidiary
companies
£
10
10

Principal subsidiaries

The following was a subsidiary undertaking of the charity:

Name Company Holding Included in
number consolidation
LEEP1 CIC 07252221 100% Yes
The financial results of the subsidiary for the year were:
Name Income Expenditure Loss for the Net assets
£ £ year £
£
LEEP1 CIC 229,272 (238,746) (9,474) 11,048

The financial results of the subsidiary for the year were:

The consolidated financial statements include the results of Leep1 CIC, a company limited by guarantee (incorporated in England and Wales, registered number 07252221), its sole member being Advonet. The liability of the charity in the event of Leep1 CIC being wound up is limited by a sum not exceeding £1.

The principal activity of Leep1 CIC is that of providing independent advocacy and related/connected services.

Investment in the wholly owned subsidiary is carried at cost of £10 (2023: £10) in the balance sheet of the charity.

Income earned and expenditure incurred by Leep1 CIC have been recognised within the charitable activities of Advonet's consolidated accounts on the basis that these activities are deemed to have charitable intentions and purposes.

Page 37

(A company limited by guarantee)

ADVONET

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

15. Stocks

Group Group Charity Charity
2024 2023 2024 2023
£ £ £ £
Finished goods 9,504 15,577 8,989 15,577

16. Debtors

Trade debtors
Amounts owed by group undertakings
Other debtors
Prepayments and accrued income		 Group
2024
£
424,749
-
6,180
89,169
520,098		 Group
2023
£
281,164
-
10,245
50,178
341,587		 Charity
2024
£
384,969
11,583
5,380
83,757
485,689		 Charity
2023
£
251,963
9,533
9,445
39,423
310,364
  1. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
Trade creditors
Other taxation and social security
Other creditors
Accruals and deferred income		 Group
2024
£
60,478
39,190
3,321
261,710
364,699		 Group
2023
£
46,295
15,429
11,983
350,666
424,373		 Charity
2024
£
59,661
39,094
2,429
228,506
329,690		 Charity
2023
£
46,118
15,420
1,473
324,446
387,457

Page 38

ADVONET

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Deferred income at 1 April
Resources deferred during the year
Amounts released from previous periods
18.
Statement of funds
Statement of funds - current year
Balance at 1
April 2023
£
Unrestricted funds
Designated funds
RRP waiting list reduction
29,620
Easy Read & Training
25,000
Finance Officer and Business
Development role
33,000
Advocacy development
45,000
132,620
General funds
Charity core activities
420,767
Total Unrestricted funds
553,387		 Group
2024
£
272,875
159,620
(272,875)
159,620
Income
£
-
-
-
-
-
978,715
978,715		 Group
2023
£
328,257
272,875
(328,257)
272,875
Expenditure
£
-
-
-
-
-
(923,036)
(923,036)		 Charity
2024
£
261,906
146,034
(261,906)
146,034
Transfers
in/out
£
-
-
-
-
-
(190,955)
(190,955)		 Charity
2023
£
292,736
261,906
(292,736)
261,906
Balance at 31
March 2024
£
29,620
25,000
33,000
45,000
132,620
285,491
418,111

Page 39

ADVONET

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

18. Statement of funds (continued)

Restricted funds
Leeds Independent Health
Complaints Advocacy
Leeds Independent Mental
Capacity Advocacy
Leeds Independent Mental Health
Advocacy
Leeds Care Act Advocacy
Autism North
Asking You!
Health Inequalities
LGBTQ+
Changemakers
Respite Review
Autism - AIM Mentoring & Peer
Support
Respect Project
Heritage Project
ICS Health Navigator
BDCT PD Peer Support
BDCT Sensory Inpatient
HEE Peer Support
WY Ambassador
Other restricted funds
Total of funds		 47,389
-
9,099
-
(2,215)
31,156
-
3,807
4,531
-
-
(124)
-
-
-
-
-
-
433
94,076
647,463		 204,000
246,000
200,000
25,000
68,101
64,602
50,270
89,089
85,602
26,340
36,149
23,212
14,567
57,558
27,900
24,359
15,065
5,657
6,029
1,269,500
2,248,215		 (206,006)
(422,065)
(182,326)
(65,096)
(61,885)
(66,628)
(50,270)
(67,699)
(85,602)
(20,364)
(44,912)
(7,230)
(11,927)
(56,334)
(27,881)
(24,460)
(4,636)
(3,460)
(4,214)
(1,412,995)
(2,336,031)		 -
178,262
-
40,096
691
(450)
-
(1,650)
25
(4,950)
8,762
(15,983)
(2,700)
-
-
101
(10,429)
-
(820)
190,955
-		 45,383
2,197
26,773
-
4,692
28,680
-
23,547
4,556
1,026
(1)
(125)
(60)
1,224
19
-
-
2,197
1,428
141,536
559,647

Page 40

ADVONET

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

18. Statement of funds (continued)

Statement of funds - prior year

Unrestricted funds
Designated funds
RRP waiting list reduction
Easy Read & Training
Finance Officer and Business
Development role
Advocacy development
ASC community
General funds
Charity core activities
Total Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
Leeds Independent Health
Complaints Advocacy
Leeds Independent Mental
Capacity Advocacy
Leeds Independent Mental Health
Advocacy
Leeds Care Act Advocacy
Autism North
Asking You!
Health Inequalities
LGBTQ+
Changemakers
Respite Review		 Balance at
1 April 2022
£
-
-
-
-
140,000
140,000
526,600
666,600
3,073
45,482
-
-
-
1,346
33,273
-
408
-		 Income
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
1,003,847
1,003,847
-
204,000
246,000
200,000
25,000
66,936
64,602
4,726
3,021
52,158		 Expenditure
£
-
-
-
-
(140,000)
(140,000)
(805,058)
(945,058)
(3,073)
(216,093)
(372,345)
(190,901)
(56,452)
(51,475)
(66,719)
(4,726)
(3,021)
(52,158)		 Transfers
in/out
£
29,620
25,000
33,000
45,000
-
132,620
(304,622)
(172,002)
-
14,000
126,345
-
31,452
(19,993)
-
-
-
-		 Balance at
31 March
2023
£
29,620
25,000
33,000
45,000
-
132,620
420,767
553,387
-
47,389
-
9,099
-
(3,186)
31,156
-
408
-

Page 41

ADVONET

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

18. Statement of funds (continued)

Statement of funds - prior year (continued)

Autism - AIM Mentoring & Peer
Support
Respect Project
Heritage Project
ICS Health Navigator
BDCT PD Peer Support
BDCT Sensory Inpatient
HEE Peer Support
WY Ambassador
Other restricted funds
Total of funds		 Balance at
1 April 2022
£
(168)
-
-
-
-
-
(124)
-
(173)
83,117
749,717		 Income
£
-
54,947
55,986
20,821
59,661
50,985
17,623
5,173
575
1,132,214
2,136,061		 Expenditure
£
(18,861)
(51,140)
(51,455)
(20,821)
(59,661)
(50,985)
(17,623)
(5,173)
(575)
(1,293,257)
(2,238,315)		 Transfers
in/out
£
20,000
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
198
172,002
-		 Balance at
31 March
2023
£
971
3,807
4,531
-
-
-
(124)
-
25
94,076
647,463

Page 42

(A company limited by guarantee)

ADVONET

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

18. Statement of funds (continued)

Funds summary

Transfers from Autism North were made to CCG Funding - Autism Hubs in North Leeds as these are related contracts but split for the records of the charity.

Designated Fund

ASC Community Funding from Leeds City Council: ASC received in respect of community advocacy designated to 2022/2023 spend as not utilised in full in the current financial year.

Restricted Funds

All restricted funds are income which has been given for a specific purpose. The funds are not available for use for anything other than the specific project the funding was issued for.

Advocacy Awareness: Training provided for Advocacy Awareness.

Leeds Independent Health Complaints Advocacy: This is independent health complaints advocacy which is required to commissioned by local authorities. This advocacy support is aimed at empowering anyone in the Leeds area to resolve a complaint about healthcare commissioned or provided by the NHS in England.

Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy: instructed and non-instructed advocacy support in accordance with the Mental Capacity Act.

Independent Mental Health Advocacy: provision of instructed advocacy support in accordance with the Mental Health Act 1983. Including provision of instructed advocacy support for people with learning disabilities who qualify for IMHA as required by the Mental Health Act (amendment 2007).

Care Act Advocacy: provision of instructed advocacy support in accordance with the Care Act 2014.

Asking You!: This is funding provided by Leeds City Council. This funding is used for a project to get people with learning disabilities involved in the services they use. This is through engagement in People's Parliament and also by being involved in the new strengths-based approach by Adult Social Care.

Respite Project: £30k Asking You to undertake consultation together with people with lived experience on local Respite services (Asking You)

Respect Project: Funded by NIHR in partnership with Warwick University – as subcontractors from 01 April 2022: social care research partnership - easy read resources (and consultation) on End of Life/ future planning to support Respect aims (CHANGE)

Heritage Project: Funded by Leeds Community Foundation from 01 April 2022 to produce a project celebrating the history and strengths of people with learning disabilities (CHANGE)End date of this was changed.

LGBT – Outspoken Project: funded by the National Lottery Community Fund, providing self- advocacy, peer support for LGBTQ+ people who are autistic or have a learning disability and training to health professionals (CHANGE)

Autism AIM: core offer provided by CCG/ICB (initially non recurrent)- information, advocacy and peer support for autistic people to increase access to services: drop in hubs, groups, signposting, resources etc

Page 43

(A company limited by guarantee)

ADVONET

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

18. Statement of funds (continued)

AIM Post Diagnostic: CCG/ICB funded work providing autistic led peer support post diagnosis for the autistic community locally, linked to the core work

Live Well Leeds: AIM funding as part of the Live Well Leeds contract to deliver autism training and consultation to the 18 LWL providers.

Health Inequalities: AIM: pilot work supporting a Local Care Partnership (The Light Surgery and Leeds Student Medical Practice) to increase access to healthcare for autistic people: training to health professionals and peer support. This was initially applied for through WYHHCP and taken up by Leeds CCG/ ICB.

Yorkshire Autism AIM Mental Health Equity Project (Yaamhep): 4 years from Sept 2021 - Funded by Comic Relief Changemakers Fund: improving mental health support for autistic people- to provide local and regional development of direct ongoing consultation routes with autistic people on mental health with health services, autism specific peer support groups and autism support for generic peer support with Leeds Mind, training to advocacy and social prescribing services and self-advocacy resources (Yorkshire AIM)

Autism Alert Cards: funded by Safer Communities (WY police) 1 year to provide autism alert cards with West Yorkshire Police to enable autistic people to put forward their needs (Leeds AIM)

Sensory Inpatient Project: from Nov 2021 1- year, joint project with Bradford District Care Trust- pilot work to explore models to improve the sensory environment on inpatient wards- we are providing lived experience inputsensory checker training and resources, animation etc (Yorkshire AIM) Funded by Health Education England (via Bradford -through joint bid)

Autism AIM Mentoring and Peer Support: Funded by the National lottery 3 years from Jan 2022: to expand autism mentoring and one to one peer support provision locally (Leeds AIM) Extended to March 2025.

AIM ICS Health Navigator: £58K pilot work WY ICS – health navigator roles at pilot hubs as below- until March 24

AIM BDCT PD Peer Support - Bradford 23/24 - £25k Bradford council pilot work developing and testing peer support hub models with focus on post diagnostic – until March 24 (note this funding was joined together for drop in hubs in Bradford- also utilising some of Yaamep funds for MH navigators)

AIM BDCT Sensory – Bradford 23/24 – extending the sensory inpatient pilot work from last year in partnership with BDCT- AIM providing sensory checker audits. Bradford District Care Trust.

AIM HEE Peer Support – 1 year project starting in January 2023 funded by Health Education England. Unusual funding as 4x trainee’s were given a bursary to complete training. The funding is also restricted to “embed Peer Support within your organisation” so can be spent on other activities, wages, wellbeing activities and equipment to pilot different ways of working.

AIM West Yorkshire Ambassador – Initially 1 year April 2023 – March 2024. Payment for one member of staff to be an ambassador on 4 hours a week.

Page 44

ADVONET

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

19. Summary of funds

Summary of funds - current year

Summary of funds - current year
Designated funds
General funds
Restricted funds
Summary of funds - prior year
Designated funds
General funds
Restricted funds		 Balance at 1
April 2023
£
132,620
420,767
94,076
647,463
Balance at
1 April 2022
£
140,000
526,600
83,117
749,717		 Income
£
-
978,715
1,269,500
2,248,215
Income
£
-
1,003,847
1,132,214
2,136,061		 Expenditure
£
-
(923,036)
(1,412,995)
(2,336,031)
Expenditure
£
(140,000)
(805,058)
(1,293,257)
(2,238,315)		 Transfers
in/out
£
-
(190,955)
190,955
-
Transfers
in/out
£
132,620
(304,622)
172,002
-		 Balance at 31
March 2024
£
132,620
285,491
141,536
559,647
Balance at
31 March
2023
£
132,620
420,767
94,076
647,463

20. Analysis of net assets between funds

Analysis of net assets between funds - current period

Tangible fixed assets
Current assets
Creditors due within one year
Total		 Unrestricted
funds
2024
£
13,699
769,111
(364,699)
418,111		 Restricted
funds
2024
£
-
141,536
-
141,536		 Total
funds
2024
£
13,699
910,647
(364,699)
559,647

Page 45

(A company limited by guarantee)

ADVONET

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

20. Analysis of net assets between funds (continued)

Analysis of net assets between funds - prior period

Tangible fixed assets
Current assets
Creditors due within one year
Total		 Unrestricted
funds
2023
£
26,929
950,831
(424,373)
553,387		 Restricted
funds
2023
£
-
94,076
-
94,076		 Total
funds
2023
£
26,929
1,044,907
(424,373)
647,463

21. Reconciliation of net movement in funds to net cash flow from operating activities

Net expenditure for the period (as per Statement of Financial Activities)
Adjustments for:
Depreciation charges
Investment income
Profit on the sale of fixed assets
Decrease/(increase) in stocks
Decrease/(increase) in debtors
Increase/(decrease) in creditors
Decrease in deferred income
Net cash used in operating activities		 Group
2024
£
(87,816)
16,866
(5,417)
(110)
6,073
(178,511)
50,448
(110,122)
(308,589)		 Group
2023
£
(102,254)
20,316
-
-
(6,477)
73,789
(14,351)
(55,382)
(84,359)

Page 46

ADVONET

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

22. Analysis of cash and cash equivalents

Cash in hand
Total cash and cash equivalents		 Group
2024
£
381,045
381,045		 Group
2023
£
687,743
687,743

23. Analysis of changes in net debt

Cash at bank and in hand At 1 April
2023
£
687,743
687,743		 Cash flows
£
(306,698)
(306,698)		 At 31 March
2024
£
381,045
381,045

24. Contingent liabilities

Post year-end, it was discovered that the subsidiary entity, LEEP1 CIC, should have historically been registered for VAT. Due to various factors that remain unknown at the time of signing these financial statements, a reliable estimate of any asset or liability cannot be determined. However, the worst-case scenario is an estimated liability of £110,000.

25. Pension commitments

The group participates in a defined contribution scheme. The charge to the statement of financial activities in respect of the scheme was £73,930 (2023: £76,575). Amounts owed at year end were £nil (2023: £nil) which are held within creditors.

Page 47

(A company limited by guarantee)

ADVONET

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

26. Operating lease commitments

At 31 March 2024 the group and the charity had commitments to make future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases as follows:

Not later than 1 year
Later than 1 year and not later than 5 years		 Group
2024
£
83,635
74,277
157,912		 Group
2023
£
44,443
20,625
65,068		 Charity
2024
£
75,361
74,277
149,638		 Charity
2023
£
36,486
20,625
57,111

27. Related party transactions

During the year Advonet subcontracted to Age UK Leeds, Touchstone and Sign Health (2023: Age UK Leeds, Touchstone and Sign Health). Note 9 includes details of amounts paid to these parties for subcontracted advocacy work. Touchstone is a charity which has a director/trustee in common.

In October 2018, Advonet also entered into partnership with Touchstone in delivering advocacy work for the Kirklees Advocacy Hub. Total income received from Touchstone as part of this partnership was £68,700 (2023: £106,211).

During the year, in addition to the recharge of expenses, Advonet charged Leep1 CIC (a subsidiary) management charges amounting to £22,944 (2023: £32,322). At the year end, Leep1 CIC owed Advonet £11,583 (2023: £9,533) which is included within debtors.

Page 48