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← Home-Start Blackburn & Darwen

2024-03-31-accounts

Charity registration number 1131111

Company registration number 06907615 (England and Wales)

HOME-START BLACKBURN & DARWEN

ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

HOME-START BLACKBURN & DARWEN

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Trustees John Easton
Elaine Matchett
Mike Rawsterne
Judith Holden
Kathryn Adnitt
N Isherwood
Jane Partington (Appointed 21 September
2023)
Charity number 1131111
Company number 06907615
Principal address Suite 19
Kings Court
33 King Street
Blackburn
Lancashire
BB2 2DH
Registered office Suite 19
Kings Court
33 King Street
Blackburn
Lancashire
BB2 2DH
Independent examiner Catherine C Baker FCCA
Hindle Jepson & Jennings Ltd
10 Borough Road
Darwen
Lancashire
BB3 1PL
Bankers National Westminster Bank Plc
35 King William Street
Blackburn
Lancashire
BB1 7DJ
Solicitors Watson Ramsbottom Partnership
33-39 Railway Road
Darwen
BB3 2RL

HOME-START BLACKBURN & DARWEN

CONTENTS

Page
Trustees' report 1 - 3
Independent examiner's report 4
Statement of financial activities 5
Balance sheet 6
Notes to the financial statements 7 - 14

HOME-START BLACKBURN & DARWEN

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTOR'S REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024.

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts and comply with the charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006 and the Statement of Recommended Practice, "Accounting and Reporting by Charities (FRS102)".

Objectives and activities

The principal activities of the charity during the year was to support parent and reduce the potential for family crisis and breakdown.

Home-Start Blackburn & Darwen is one of 180 local Home-Starts operating throughout the UK. Whilst part of a national network, each Home-Start is managed and funded independently at a local level. This ensures that HomeStart is routed in and sensitive to the community it serves.

Home-Start Blackburn and Darwen values family life and the importance it has for children, parents and the community as a whole. Home-Start Blackburn and Darwen recognises the pressures that can be part of having a young family, especially for those experiencing social isolation, or those new to the area. Home-Start Blackburn and Darwen aims to support parents with at least one child under the age of five, who are facing difficulties, enabling them to cope with the pressures they are facing and reduce the potential for family crisis and breakdown.

Home-Start Blackburn and Darwen aims to increase the confidence and independence of the family by:

There has been no change in these during the year.

The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.

HOME-START BLACKBURN & DARWEN

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTOR'S REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Achievements and performance

During the year Home-Start Blackburn & Darwen have supported 219 families through home-visiting and group activities. Have responded to 155 new referrals, with a total of 469 children, 402 under five, 56 over five and 11 pre birth.

Over the last 12 months, we have continued to offer families a range of support methods but our main approach is to support families in their own home through a parent volunteer or family support worker.

Recruiting and maintaining volunteers has been one of the greatest challenges this year, running our service on just 28 volunteers. The recruitment and training of new volunteers has also been very slow, potential volunteers being unable to commit due to prioritising paid work.

The cost of living crisis has affected many families this year, especially those with young children on low incomes. We were invited to partner BwD Public Health and other 3rd sector organisations, to assist with onward grants for household/family essentials. This Cost of Living Project enabled us to reach an additional 441 with children under 7, providing information and signposting/referring them to other community services. A further 802 families have been engaged with for the purpose of health informed.

We continue to work closely with health visitors and schools nurses through the 0-19 service, along with nursery and infant schools, perinatal mental health teams and Children’ Social Care.

Our main referrals and support is for parents with:

Emotional wellbeing needs; parents of children with behaviour difficulties; school readiness; parenting readiness; parenting strategies and general household management.

The staff team are constantly developing new strategies and resources to enable them to respond and support more families in the most appropriate way.

Financial review

During 2023-24, the scheme's income has been maintained due to securing a contract from the BwD Help Hub and a variety of successful smaller grants.

The scheme continues to be contracted to deliver services for the BwD 0-19 Healthy Child programme and CAHMS 0-2 service which has a NHS Standard Contract from Lancashire & South Cumbria ICB

The challenges are still limited opportunities made available from commissions, contracts and larger grant funding. Looking forward, the scheme will be pursuing funding opportunities through a more collaborative approach to enable sustainability. The scheme holds significant unrestricted reserves and together with secured income, this will support the business until 2025 and beyond.

Looking forward, the scheme has secured a significant contract from BwD Public Health which will commence April

It is the policy of the charity that unrestricted funds which have not been designated for a specific use should be maintained at a level equivalent to between three and six month’s expenditure. The trustees consider that reserves at this level will ensure that, in the event of a significant drop in funding, they will be able to continue the charity’s current activities while consideration is given to ways in which additional funds may be raised. This level of reserves has been maintained throughout the year.

The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks.

Structure, governance and management

The charity is a company limited by guarantee.

HOME-START BLACKBURN & DARWEN

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTOR'S REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

The trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:

John Easton Elaine Matchett Mike Rawsterne Judith Holden Kathryn Adnitt Ismail Hafeji (Resigned 5 June 2023) N Isherwood Jane Partington (Appointed 21 September 2023)

None of the trustees have any beneficial interest in the company. All of the trustees are members of the company and guarantee to contribute £1 in the event of a winding up.

The company's current policy concerning the payment of trade creditors is to follow the CBI's Prompt Payers Code (copies are available from the CBI, Centre Point, 103 New Oxford Street, London WC1A 1DU).

The company's current policy concerning the payment of trade creditors is to:

Trade creditors of the company at the year end were equivalent to 0 day's purchases, based on the average daily amount invoiced by suppliers during the year.

The charity is run on a day to day basis by a manager, Amanda Barrass, and there are also administrators who provide support with the running of the charity. In addition to this, there are a large number of volunteers who deliver the work of the charity. These volunteers are overseen by Amanda and the co-ordinators.

There are no related parties to report.

The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.

.............................. Kathryn Adnitt Trustee

Date: .............................................

HOME-START BLACKBURN & DARWEN

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT

TO THE TRUSTEES OF HOME-START BLACKBURN & DARWEN

I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Home-Start Blackburn & Darwen (the charity) for the year ended 31 March 2024.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the trustees of the charity (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (the 2006 Act).

Having satisfied myself that the financial statements of the charity are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act). In carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner's statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.

Catherine C Baker FCCA

Hindle Jepson & Jennings Ltd 10 Borough Road Darwen Lancashire BB3 1PL

Dated: .........................

HOME-START BLACKBURN & DARWEN

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2024
2024
Notes
£
£
Income from:
Donations and
legacies
3
156,737
-
Investments
4
994
-
Total income
157,731
-
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
5
195,617
5,208
Net (outgoing)/incoming
resources before
transfers
(37,886)
(5,208)
Gross transfers
between funds
52,558
(52,558)
Net income/(expenditure)
for the year/
Net movement in funds
14,672
(57,766)
Fund balances at 1 April
2023
236,737
57,766
Fund balances at 31
March 2024
251,409
-		 Total
Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2024
2023
2023
£
£
£
156,737
155,947
64,265
994
245
-
157,731
156,192
64,265
200,825
115,182
63,536
(43,094)
41,010
729
-
-
-
(43,094)
41,010
729
294,503
195,727
57,037
251,409
236,737
57,766		 Total
2023
£
220,212
245
220,457
178,718
41,739
-
41,739
252,764
294,503

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

The statement of financial activities also complies with the requirements for an income and expenditure account under the Companies Act 2006.

HOME-START BLACKBURN & DARWEN

BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 31 MARCH 2024

Notes
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
10
Current assets
Debtors
11
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors: amounts falling due within
one year
12
Net current assets
Total assets less current liabilities
Income funds
Restricted funds
Unrestricted funds
Designated funds
13
General unrestricted funds		 2024
£
245
299,178
299,423
(48,988)
74,945
176,464		 £
974
250,435
251,409
-
251,409
251,409		 2023
£
235
295,252
295,487
(2,273)
-
236,737		 £
1,289
293,214
294,503
57,766
236,737
294,503

The company is entitled to the exemption from the audit requirement contained in section 477 of the Companies Act 2006, for the year ended 31 March 2024.

The director acknowledges her responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 with respect to accounting records and the preparation of financial statements.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year in question in accordance with section 476.

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

The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on .........................

.............................. Kathryn Adnitt Trustee

Company registration number 06907615

HOME-START BLACKBURN & DARWEN

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

1 Accounting policies

Charity information

Home-Start Blackburn & Darwen is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Suite 19, Kings Court, 33 King Street, Blackburn, Lancashire, BB2 2DH.

1.1 Accounting convention

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 2006 and “Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)” (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2016). The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.

The charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities applying FRS 102 Update Bulletin 1 not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.

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

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, [modified to include the revaluation of freehold properties and to include investment properties and certain financial instruments at fair value]. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

1.2 Going concern

At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

1.3 Charitable funds

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.

Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.

1.4 Income

Income is recognised when the charity is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received.

Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.

Legacies are recognised on receipt or otherwise if the charity has been notified of an impending distribution, the amount is known, and receipt is expected. If the amount is not known, the legacy is treated as a contingent asset.

Grants receivable are recognised on an accruals basis.

HOME-START BLACKBURN & DARWEN

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

1 Accounting policies

(Continued)

1.5 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 are allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and applied under the appropriate heading. Liabilities are recognised as resources expended as soon as the obligation and commitment by the Charity to the expenditure arises.

1.6 Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.

Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:

Fixtures, fittings & equipment 15% Reducing Balance

The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.

1.7 Impairment of fixed assets

At each reporting end date, the charity reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).

1.8 Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.

1.9 Financial instruments

The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.

Financial instruments are recognised in the charity's balance sheet when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

HOME-START BLACKBURN & DARWEN

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

1 Accounting policies

(Continued)

Basic financial assets

Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.

Basic financial liabilities

Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.

Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Derecognition of financial liabilities

Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.

1.10 Employee benefits

The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.

Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.

1.11 Funds Structure

The Charity has one restricted fund which is to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by the respective donors, The Big Lottery Fund.

2 Critical accounting estimates and judgements

In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.

HOME-START BLACKBURN & DARWEN

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

3 Donations and legacies

Unrestricted
Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
funds
2024
2023
2023
£
£
£
Donations and gifts
15,476
25,892
-
Grants Received
141,261
130,055
64,265
156,737
155,947
64,265
Donations and gifts
Other
476
1,892
-
Eric Wright
15,000
24,000
-
15,476
25,892
-
Grants receivable for core activities
Spring North
10,000
-
-
BWD Help Hub
47,100
19,520
-
NHS LSC FT
48,317
48,317
-
BWD Clinical Commisioning Group
-
31,207
-
NHS Lancashire & South Cumbria ICB
27,344
20,624
-
Home Start Grant
8,500
-
-
Lottery Community Fund
-
-
64,265
BBC Children in Need
-
10,387
-
141,261
130,055
64,265		 Total
2023
£
25,892
194,320
220,212
1,892
24,000
25,892
-
19,520
48,317
31,207
20,624
-
64,265
10,387
194,320

4 Investments

**Unrestricted ** Unrestricted
funds funds
2024 2023
£ £
Interest receivable 994 245

HOME-START BLACKBURN & DARWEN

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

5 Charitable activities

Staff costs
Depreciation and impairment
Employee and volunteer expenses
Rent
Light heat and water
Insurance
Refreshments and hospitality
Training and consultancy
Subscriptions
Recruitment costs
Telephone
Printing postage and stationery
Payroll fees
General expenses
Other charitable expenditure
Share of governance costs (see note 6)
Analysis by fund
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
For the year ended 31 March 2023
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds		 Family
Support
Work
2024
£
126,101
315
2,379
16,551
1,630
971
741
641
4,552
534
3,911
1,302
926
125
33,331
194,010
6,815
200,825
195,617
5,208
200,825
115,182
63,536
178,718		 Family
Support
Work
2023
£
131,906
278
3,946
11,472
1,340
960
618
314
2,880
463
3,009
1,078
788
174
16,662
175,888
2,830
178,718
115,182
63,536
178,718

HOME-START BLACKBURN & DARWEN

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

6 Support costs

Accountancy
Legal and professional
Analysed between
Charitable activities		 Support
costs
Governance
costs
£
£
-
2,314
-
4,501
-
6,815
-
6,815		 2024
£
2,314
4,501
6,815
6,815		 2023
£
2,410
420
2,830
2,830

7 Trustees

None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration during the year.

8 Employees

The average monthly number of employees during the year was:

Employment costs
Wages and salaries		 2024
Number
7
2024
£
126,101		 2023
Number
7
2023
£
131,906

9 Taxation

The charity is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or section 252 of the Taxationof Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects.

HOME-START BLACKBURN & DARWEN

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

10 Tangible fixed assets
Fixtures, fittings & equipment
£
Cost
At 1 April 2023 7,390
Disposals (441)
At 31 March 2024 6,949
Depreciation and impairment
At 1 April 2023 6,101
Depreciation charged in the year 194
Eliminated in respect of disposals (320)
At 31 March 2024 5,975
Carrying amount
At 31 March 2024 974
At 31 March 2023 1,289
11 Debtors
2024 2023
Amounts falling due within one year: £ £
Prepayments and accrued income 245 235
12 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2024 2023
£ £
Other creditors 46,640 -
Accruals and deferred income 2,348 2,273
48,988 2,273

HOME-START BLACKBURN & DARWEN

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

13 Designated funds

The income funds of the charity include the following designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes:

Movement
in funds
Incoming Balance at Transfers Balance at
resources 1 April 2023 31 March 2024
£ £ £ £
Designated Reserves - - 74,945 74,945
- - 74,945 74,945
14 Analysis of net assets between funds
Unrestricted Restricted **Total ** Unrestricted Restricted Total
funds funds funds funds
2024 2024 2024 2023 2023 2023
£ £ £ £ £ £
Fund balances at 31
March 2024 are
represented by:
Tangible assets 974 - 974 1,289 - 1,289
Current assets/(liabilities) 250,435 - 250,435 235,448 57,766 293,214
251,409 - 251,409 236,737 57,766 294,503

15 Related party transactions

There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2023 - none).